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Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a rich, custardy breakfast dish with a caramelized bottom and soft brioche layers. It’s the perfect make-ahead recipe for brunches, holidays, or weekend treats. Just prep it at night, bake in the morning, and enjoy that melt-in-your-mouth texture with a sweet golden crust.
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Cook Time 35 minutes
Chill Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 35 minutes
Servings: 8 people
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 tbsp corn syrup or maple syrup
  • 1 loaf French bread or brioche sliced ¾-inch thick
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1½ cups whole milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon optional

Method
 

  1. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with brown sugar and corn syrup. Stir constantly until smooth and bubbling, about 3 minutes. Pour into a greased 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange bread slices over the caramel in a single layer, overlapping slightly if needed.
  3. In a bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon (if using). Pour evenly over the bread, pressing gently to soak.
  4. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove dish from fridge, let sit 15–20 minutes. Bake uncovered for 35–40 minutes, until golden and puffed.
  6. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm with whipped cream or fresh berries if desired.

Notes

Use sturdy bread like brioche or challah to soak up the custard without falling apart.
For added flavor, try adding orange zest or a pinch of nutmeg to the custard mix.
Broil for 2–3 minutes at the end for crispy caramelized edges but watch carefully to avoid burning.