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
Scale
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