Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

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If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like a decadent dessert, this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is the perfect way to elevate your morning. With its caramelized edges, rich custard base, and buttery sweetness, each bite feels like you’re indulging in a brûléed treat from a fancy café. Even better? You prep everything the night before, making this the ideal recipe for weekends, holidays, or when you want to impress guests with minimal effort the next morning.

This French toast bake is layered with thick slices of bread soaked in a silky mixture of eggs, cream, vanilla, and brown sugar, then baked to golden perfection. The result is a custardy, crunchy-topped breakfast that looks and tastes like a five-star brunch without the fuss.

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What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

For best results, use a sturdy, dense bread like brioche or challah. These types absorb the custard without becoming soggy and hold up well during the overnight soak. Day-old bread is especially ideal, as it has less moisture and creates a better texture after baking.

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Ingredients for the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Butter: Forms the rich base of the caramel layer and helps create those crispy edges.

Brown Sugar: Adds sweetness and a deep molasses flavor that caramelizes in the oven.

Corn Syrup: Gives the caramel a glossy finish and keeps it from hardening too much.

Heavy Cream: Creates a rich custard that soaks into the bread, adding velvety texture.

Whole Milk: Balances out the cream for a pourable custard mixture.

Eggs: Bind everything together and provide that classic French toast texture.

Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and enhances the sweet flavors.

Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.

Thick-Sliced Bread: Brioche or challah are best to absorb the custard without falling apart.

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How To Make the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Step 1: Make the Caramel Base

In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup together until smooth and bubbling. Pour this caramel mixture evenly into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

Step 2: Arrange the Bread

Place thick slices of brioche or challah over the caramel layer in the baking dish, fitting them tightly together in a single layer. You may need to cut some slices in half to fill all the space.

Step 3: Prepare the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, whole milk, eggs, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

Step 4: Pour and Soak

Slowly pour the custard mixture over the arranged bread, making sure every piece is thoroughly soaked. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the custard.

Step 5: Chill Overnight

Cover the baking dish with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This allows the bread to fully absorb the custard for a perfect texture.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the cover and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the top is golden and slightly crisp and the custard is set.

Step 7: Serve Warm

Let the French toast sit for a few minutes before slicing. Flip the slices upside down when serving to showcase the caramelized topping. Drizzle with maple syrup or sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

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How to Serve and Store Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Serve this dish warm right out of the oven. It pairs beautifully with fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup. For a brunch spread, add crispy bacon or sausage on the side to balance the sweetness.

If you have leftovers, let the French toast cool completely. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat individual slices in the oven at 350°F for 10-15 minutes to crisp them back up.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don’t have corn syrup?

You can substitute honey or maple syrup for corn syrup, though the texture of the caramel may be a little different. It will still taste delicious!

Can I freeze this French toast?

Yes, after baking, let it cool completely. Freeze individual slices in freezer-safe bags for up to 2 months. Reheat from frozen in a 350°F oven for about 20 minutes.

Do I have to soak it overnight?

Soaking overnight gives the best custardy texture, but if you’re short on time, let it soak for at least 2-3 hours in the fridge before baking.

Can I make this dairy-free?

You can substitute coconut cream and almond milk for the heavy cream and whole milk, and use a dairy-free butter alternative. Just note that the texture and flavor may vary.

Is it supposed to be soggy in the middle?

The center should be soft and custard-like but not raw. If it seems too wet, try baking a few minutes longer and tenting the top with foil to prevent over-browning.

What toppings work best?

Fresh fruit, whipped cream, maple syrup, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar are all amazing additions!

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Want More Breakfast Ideas?

If this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast has you craving more breakfast inspiration, check out these other delightful options:

• Gooey Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole for another cozy morning treat.
• Healthy Banana Oatmeal Muffins for something a little lighter.
• Blueberry Swirl Yogurt Bites if you want fruity and creamy in every bite.
• Heart-Shaped Sugar Donuts to turn breakfast into a celebration.
• Strawberry Cheesecake Banana Pudding for a hybrid dessert-breakfast indulgence.

And for even more sweet breakfast and brunch inspiration, don’t forget to follow my Pinterest board Life with Nina where I share new recipes daily!

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Save This Pin + Share Your Results

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest breakfast board so you can come back to it anytime.

Tried it? Let me know how yours turned out in the comments. Did you use brioche or challah? Add any fun toppings or tweak the custard?

I love seeing your takes on these recipes. Ask questions too—let’s make every morning delicious together!

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