Description
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent, make-ahead breakfast treat featuring thick slices of day-old French bread soaked in a creamy egg mixture and baked with a buttery, brown sugar glaze. Perfect for special mornings, it can be topped with syrup, whipped cream, fresh fruit, or powdered sugar for an indulgent start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Glaze
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
For the French Toast
- 12 slices thickly sliced bread (day-old or stale French bread recommended)
- 5 eggs
- 1 ½ cups half and half cream
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash of cinnamon
Instructions
- Prepare the Glaze: In a small saucepan, melt the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture is smooth and combined.
- Grease the Pan: Pour the melted sugar mixture onto a large greased jelly roll pan (18x13x1 inches) and spread it evenly to cover the bottom surface of the pan.
- Arrange the Bread: Place 12 slices of thickly sliced, day-old French bread in a single layer to cover the entire pan surface.
- Mix the Egg Mixture: In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half cream, salt, vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon until smooth.
- Soak the Bread: Spoon the egg mixture evenly over each slice of bread, making sure all pieces are fully coated. Cover the pan and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
- Bake the French Toast: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Remove the cover and bake the French toast uncovered for 30 minutes until golden and set in the center.
- Serve and Garnish: Remove from the pan and serve warm. Top with syrup, whipped cream, fresh fruit, powdered sugar, or your favorite toppings as desired.
Notes
- For best results, use day-old or stale French bread so it absorbs the custard better.
- You can prepare this dish the night before to save time on busy mornings.
- Optional toppings like fresh berries or powdered sugar add extra flavor and presentation appeal.
- If you prefer, substitute half and half with whole milk for a lighter version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg
