Name: Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 8 h 55 min
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons light corn syrup; 1 loaf thick-cut brioche or challah bread; 5 large eggs; 1 cup heavy cream; 1 cup whole milk; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon salt

Jump to Recipe

If you’re looking for a breakfast that feels like a decadent treat but is surprisingly easy to prepare, then you are going to fall in love with this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast. Imagine the perfect balance of custardy richness soaking into thick slices of brioche or challah, layered over a luscious caramel sauce that gives every bite that blissful, melt-in-your-mouth sensation. This recipe brings the elegance of crème brûlée to a cozy, comforting morning meal, and the best part is letting it sit overnight so all those flavors develop into absolute perfection.

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering simple, high-quality ingredients is the secret to making this dish shine. Each component plays an important role in building the rich texture, sweet undertones, and inviting color that make this French toast irresistible.

Unsalted butter: Provides a creamy, rich base for the caramel layer and prevents any excess saltiness.
Brown sugar: Adds a deep molasses sweetness that caramelizes beautifully for that signature brûlée flavor.
Light corn syrup: Helps create a smooth, glossy caramel sauce that keeps its lovely texture.
Thick-cut brioche or challah bread: Perfect for soaking up custard without falling apart thanks to their soft, airy crumb.
Large eggs: Essential for creating the rich custard that holds the French toast together and gives it that silky texture.
Heavy cream: Boosts the custard’s creaminess and adds a decadent mouthfeel.
Whole milk: Balances richness with a lighter touch for smooth custard consistency.
Vanilla extract: Infuses the custard with warm, fragrant notes that elevate the overall sweetness.
Salt: Enhances the flavors, making sweet ingredients pop and rounding out the taste perfectly.

How to Make Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Base

Start by melting the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and light corn syrup until you achieve a smooth, glossy caramel. Immediately pour this fragrant mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. This luscious caramel layer sets the stage for the irresistible flavors that will soak into the bread.

Step 2: Arrange the Bread

Slice your brioche or challah loaf into thick, generous slices—about an inch thick works beautifully. Then, arrange the slices over the caramel in the baking dish, slightly overlapping them so that every piece has the chance to absorb the rich custard and caramel underneath.

Step 3: Whisk the Custard Mixture

In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and perfectly combined. This custard is what transforms ordinary bread into a creamy, custardy masterpiece reminiscent of the classic French dessert.

Step 4: Combine and Soak

Pour the custard evenly over the arranged bread slices, making sure to gently press down on the bread so it fully soaks up the liquid. Cover the dish tightly and pop it in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least eight hours. This resting time allows the bread to absorb every luxurious bit of custard and caramel flavor.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Uncover the baking dish and place it in the oven, baking for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is completely set. You’ll know it’s done when the edges are bubbling slightly and the center feels firm to the touch.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

Let your Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast cool slightly before serving. Spoon some of the luscious caramel sauce from the bottom of the dish over each portion for the ultimate indulgence. Then prepare yourself for happy sighs after every heavenly bite!

How to Serve Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Garnishes

To add a fresh burst of flavor and texture, consider topping your French toast with a handful of fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of warm maple syrup adds sweetness that balances the caramel’s richness perfectly. A sprig of fresh mint can also bring a pop of color and subtle herbal note.

Side Dishes

This dish pairs wonderfully with simple, light sides to keep breakfast balanced. Freshly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream makes it feel like a luxe brunch treat. Crispy bacon or sausage offer a savory contrast, while a fresh green salad with citrus vinaigrette can brighten your meal if you’re enjoying it for brunch or even dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For an impressive presentation, try serving your Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast in individual ramekins layered with caramel and bread cubes poured with custard. Alternatively, top individual slices with caramelized bananas or toasted nuts for texture and extra flavor. For a festive twist, sprinkle cinnamon or nutmeg before baking to add warm spice notes.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The French toast will keep well for up to 3 days, holding onto its custardy goodness. To preserve the caramel sauce’s smooth texture, avoid draining it off before storing.

Freezing

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep fresh for up to 2 months, making it convenient to enjoy your favorite breakfast anytime you crave it.

Reheating

To reheat, thaw frozen slices overnight in the fridge or warm refrigerated leftovers in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-15 minutes until heated through and lightly crisped on top. Avoid microwaving for best texture—using the oven brings back that delightful golden crust.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than brioche or challah?

Absolutely! While brioche or challah provide the ideal soft, rich crumb, you can use thick-cut French bread, sourdough, or even Texas toast in a pinch. Just make sure the bread is thick enough to soak up the custard without falling apart.

Do I have to refrigerate it overnight?

Yes, refrigerating the dish overnight allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, giving you that signature creamy texture and depth of flavor. If short on time, you can let it soak for a few hours, but overnight yields the best results.

Can I prepare this recipe gluten-free?

Definitely! Choose a gluten-free sturdy bread that can soak custard well, such as a gluten-free brioche-style bread. Just be mindful that texture might vary slightly, but the flavor will remain delicious.

Is it okay to add extra spices like cinnamon or nutmeg?

Yes, spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom complement the vanilla and caramel beautifully. You can whisk them into the custard mixture for a cozy twist that makes this French toast even more inviting.

Can I use skim or low-fat milk instead of whole milk and cream?

The recipe calls for whole milk and heavy cream to achieve that luscious, rich custard. Using skim or low-fat milk will result in a thinner, less creamy texture, so it’s best to stick with the original ingredients if you want the full indulgent effect.

Final Thoughts

There is something truly magical about the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast that turns an ordinary morning into a moment to savor. The comfort of French toast meets the elegance of crème brûlée, creating a dish that’s as impressive as it is easy. If you love a breakfast that feels both indulgent and homey, this recipe deserves a spot on your weekend menu. Give it a try—you’ll be so glad you did!

Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 13 reviews

Author: Victor
Total Time: 8 hours 55 minutes
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent breakfast treat combining the rich, creamy custard of crème brûlée with the comforting texture of thick-cut brioche or challah bread. Prepared the night before, it soaks up a luscious mixture of eggs, cream, and vanilla, topped with a buttery caramel sauce, then baked until golden and irresistible.

Ingredients

Scale

Caramel Sauce

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons light corn syrup

French Toast

1 loaf thick-cut brioche or challah bread
5 large eggs
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Make the Caramel Sauce: Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, stir in the brown sugar and light corn syrup until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. Immediately pour this caramel sauce into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading evenly across the bottom.
Prepare the Bread Layer: Slice the thick-cut brioche or challah bread into thick slices, about 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Arrange the bread slices over the caramel layer in the baking dish, slightly overlapping them to create a complete layer that will soak up the custard.
Mix the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and uniform in texture.
Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged bread slices, pressing down gently to ensure the bread soaks up as much liquid as possible for a rich and creamy texture.
Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow the custard to fully infuse into the bread.
Bake the French Toast: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator and bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set in the center.
Serve: Let the French toast cool slightly after baking. Spoon the luscious caramel sauce from the bottom of the dish over each portion before serving for extra indulgence.

Notes

Use day-old brioche or challah bread if possible, as it soaks up the custard better without falling apart.
You can prepare this dish up to 24 hours in advance for convenient mornings.
For a crispier top, you can broil for 1-2 minutes after baking, watching carefully to prevent burning.
Feel free to add fresh berries or whipped cream when serving for added flavor and texture.
Light corn syrup helps prevent crystallization in the caramel but can be substituted with golden syrup if unavailable.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French-American