Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
I can’t wait to share this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe with you because it’s one of those breakfast dishes that feels downright indulgent but surprisingly easy to make. The combination of rich custardy bread soaked with a hint of cinnamon and vanilla, topped with that perfectly caramelized sugar crust, gives you all the luxuries of crème brûlée in a morning-friendly format. It’s perfect for treating yourself on a weekend or impressing guests without stressing out in the kitchen.
What really makes this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe stand out for me is how versatile it is. You can keep it classic or tweak it for your dietary needs, and no matter how you serve it, it never fails to feel special. Plus, the creamy texture with the crisp caramelized topping? Oh, it’s like magic in every bite. You’ll find yourself making this more often than you think!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient works perfectly together to create that rich, creamy custard base that soaks into the brioche, complemented by the cinnamon’s gentle spice and vanilla’s sweet warmth. Here’s what I typically keep on hand to make this recipe a breeze.
- Brioche or challah bread: These breads are slightly sweet with a soft crumb, which soaks up the custard beautifully without falling apart.
- Large eggs: Eggs give the custard its structure, so use fresh ones for best results.
- Whole milk (or almond/oat milk): Whole milk adds richness, but you can swap in plant-based milks if you want a dairy-free version.
- Heavy cream (or half-and-half): This adds extra creaminess and helps make the custard silky smooth—don’t skip it unless you’re out!
- Granulated sugar (or brown sugar): The sugar sweetens the custard and also helps with caramelizing the topping.
- Vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste): The vanilla is key for that classic crème brûlée flavor; using vanilla bean paste amps it even more.
- Ground cinnamon (or nutmeg): A pinch of warm spice lifts the flavor, but feel free to adjust to your taste.
- Pinch of salt: Just a little salt balances all the sweetness and enhances the other flavors.
Variations
I love making this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe my own by playing around with a few different twists depending on the season or who I’m cooking for. It’s so easy to swap ingredients and keep the heart of the dish intact.
- Dairy-Free Version: I swap the milk and cream for oat or almond milk and coconut cream. The texture is surprisingly close to the original.
- Spice Twist: Adding a dash of cardamom or ginger instead of cinnamon creates a warm, aromatic spin that I’ve gotten hooked on.
- Fruit Add-Ins: Some fresh berries or sliced bananas on the side or even folded into the custard soak make brunch feel extra special.
- Less Sweet Option: I’ve also made it with less sugar and topped it with fresh fruit to balance it naturally without losing flavor.
How to Make Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Custard Mixture
Start by whisking together your eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until you get a smooth, well-combined custard. I find whisking thoroughly is key to getting that silky custard texture that’s pure magic when it soaks into the brioche. If you’re using vanilla bean paste, a little goes a long way—don’t overdo it or it could overpower the dish.
Step 2: Soak the Bread
Next, grab your brioche or challah slices and dunk them gently into the custard mixture. I like to let each slice soak for about 30 seconds per side—long enough to absorb the custard but not so long that the bread turns to mush. Lay the soaked slices on a wire rack while you prepare your pan; this keeps them from getting soggy and helps with even cooking.
Step 3: Cook the French Toast
Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little butter or oil. Cook each soaked slice for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown and slightly crisp. Keep an eye on the heat; if it’s too hot, the outside burns before the custard cooks through. Patience here really pays off—you want that creamy inside and caramelized outside.
Step 4: Caramelize the Sugar Topping
This is where the magic happens! Sprinkle a thin layer of sugar evenly over each cooked slice, then use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until it forms that signature crispy brûlée crust. If you don’t have a torch, you can pop them under the broiler for a minute, but watch closely so the sugar doesn’t burn. This caramelized layer adds a wonderful texture contrast you won’t want to skip.
How to Serve Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Garnishes
I typically top my Crème Brûlée French Toast with a few fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar. The tartness of raspberries or blueberries balances the sweetness beautifully. Sometimes, I drizzle a little maple syrup on the side, but honestly, the caramelized crust is usually sweet enough on its own for me.
Side Dishes
I often pair it with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory contrast, and a light green salad with citrus vinaigrette if I’m serving this at brunch. A cup of strong coffee or a mimosa makes the meal feel like a real celebration, perfect for weekends or holiday mornings.
Creative Ways to Present
For a special occasion, I arrange the slices stacked slightly off-kilter on a large platter, sprinkle edible flowers or chopped toasted nuts on top, and serve with little ramekins of berry compote. It’s a little extra effort, but watching my family’s eyes light up makes it so worth it!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers (which rarely happens!), store them in an airtight container in the fridge. I find placing parchment paper between slices helps prevent them from sticking together. They’ll stay good for up to 2 days, but best to enjoy them sooner for the creamiest texture.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these French toast slices before by flash-freezing them on a baking sheet first, then transferring into freezer bags. It prevents them from clumping. To enjoy later, just thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat carefully to keep that glorious brûlée crust intact.
Reheating
The best way I’ve found to reheat leftover Crème Brûlée French Toast is to pop it in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes—this warms through without turning soggy. For the brûlée topping, lightly sprinkle a little extra sugar and re-caramelize with the torch or broiler for that fresh crackly finish.
FAQs
-
Can I use other types of bread for this Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe?
Absolutely! While brioche and challah are the classic choices because of their richness and texture, you can use thick slices of sourdough, French bread, or even good quality sandwich bread. Just make sure the bread is sturdy enough to soak up the custard without falling apart.
-
What if I don’t have a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar?
No worries! You can use your oven’s broiler to caramelize the sugar topping. Just sprinkle an even layer of sugar over the cooked toast and place it under the broiler for 1-3 minutes, keeping a close eye so the sugar doesn’t burn. It’s a little trickier, but it works well.
-
Can I prepare the custard mixture ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the custard up to a day in advance and store it covered in the fridge. I find that giving the mixture a good whisk right before soaking the bread helps keep everything blended nicely for the best soak.
-
How do I tell when the French toast is cooked through?
The outside should be golden brown and slightly crisp, while the inside is tender and custardy. If the bread feels soggy or too soft, the pan might be too hot or the soaking time too long. Cook over medium heat and keep a close eye to get it just right.
Final Thoughts
This Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe has quickly become my go-to for breakfast that feels like a special occasion without being complicated. I love how quick it comes together and the joy it brings to the table—whether it’s a lazy Sunday morning or a holiday brunch. Seriously, if you want to wow yourself or your guests with something both comforting and fancy, give this recipe a try. I promise, you’ll keep coming back to it again and again.
Print
Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4-6 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: French
Description
This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe transforms classic French toast into a decadent breakfast treat inspired by the rich, creamy dessert. Featuring brioche or challah bread soaked in a custard mixture of eggs, cream, and vanilla, then cooked until golden and topped with a caramelized sugar crust, it’s a perfect dish for special mornings or brunch gatherings.
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12–14 slices)
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Custard Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Dip each slice of brioche or challah bread into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak for about 30 seconds on each side so the bread absorbs the flavorful custard without becoming oversaturated.
- Heat the Pan: Preheat a non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil to coat the surface, ensuring even cooking and preventing sticking.
- Cook the French Toast: Place the soaked bread slices onto the hot skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through with a slightly crisp exterior.
- Caramelize the Sugar Topping: Sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar over the cooked French toast slices. Use a kitchen torch to carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden-brown crust similar to traditional crème brûlée. If a torch is unavailable, you can place the slices under a broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve: Serve the Crème Brûlée French Toast immediately while the caramelized crust is still crisp, optionally garnished with fresh berries, powdered sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk and heavy cream with almond or oat milk and a dairy-free cream alternative.
- Using brioche or challah bread is essential for the soft and rich texture; day-old bread works best for soaking.
- If you don’t have a kitchen torch, broiling the sugar topping is a good alternative but requires close monitoring to prevent burning.
- To add extra flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of nutmeg or orange zest in the custard mixture.
- Ensure the pan is not too hot to avoid burning the sugar before the bread is cooked through.
Keywords: Crème Brûlée French Toast, brioche, challah, breakfast recipes, brunch, custard soaked bread, caramelized sugar toast
