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Decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake

crème brûlée French toast bake - featured image
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A rich and elegant brunch recipe combining the creamy custard of crème brûlée with the comforting warmth of baked French toast, featuring a crisp caramelized sugar topping.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound (450 g) brioche or challah bread, cut into thick 1-inch cubes
  • 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
  • 4 large whole eggs, room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla bean seeds or pure vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) granulated sugar, plus extra for caramelizing
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Cut about 1 pound (450 g) of brioche or challah into roughly 1-inch cubes. Use stale or day-old bread for best results.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 2 cups heavy cream, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla bean seeds or extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional), and a pinch of salt until just combined.
  3. Generously brush 2 tablespoons melted butter on a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  4. Place the bread cubes evenly in the baking dish. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, pressing gently with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  5. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove plastic wrap and bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes until edges are golden and center is just set but still slightly wobbly.
  6. Sprinkle about 2 tablespoons granulated sugar evenly over the hot French toast bake. Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until crisp and golden. Alternatively, place under the broiler on high for 2–3 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  7. Let the bake rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sugar topping to harden and custard to settle. Serve warm with fresh berries, maple syrup, or powdered sugar if desired.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best custard absorption. Refrigerate the assembled bake for at least 4 hours or overnight for a creamy texture. If you don’t have a kitchen torch, use the oven broiler carefully to caramelize sugar. Avoid microwaving leftovers to prevent rubbery custard. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and butter with a vegan alternative. For gluten-free, use gluten-free bread.

Nutrition

Keywords: crème brûlée, French toast bake, brunch recipe, elegant breakfast, custard, caramelized sugar, brioche, challah

Find it online: https://lyrafeast.com/decadent-cr-e-me-br-u-l-e-e-french-toast-bake-easy-elegant-brunch-recipe/