Crème Brûlée French Toast – 5 Ultimate Brunch Wins

BySophie December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

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Have you ever wondered why some breakfasts feel unforgettable while others are just… breakfast? The secret is often texture and contrast and that’s exactly what makes Crème Brûlée French Toast so special. Imagine the crackly caramelized sugar top of classic crème brûlée meeting soft, custardy French toast underneath. It’s indulgent, comforting, and surprisingly easy to pull off at home.

This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe was born for slow mornings, holiday brunches, and those weekends when you want something that feels bakery-worthy without standing over the stove all morning. It’s rich without being heavy, sweet without being cloying, and absolutely perfect for feeding a crowd. If you love baked French toast, overnight French toast, or cozy brunch recipes, this one deserves a permanent spot in your recipe box.

Table of Contents

Crème Brûlée French Toast

This Crème Brûlée French Toast combines the caramelized crackle of classic crème brûlée with soft, custardy French toast underneath. Perfect for brunch, holidays, or slow weekend mornings, it’s rich, bakery‑worthy, and surprisingly easy to make at home.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 45

Total Time 1

Servings: 6 servings

Course: Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine: French

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

Main Ingredients

8 slices thick brioche or challah bread day‑old works best
4 tbsp unsalted butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp salt

Equipment

Baking Dish
Saucepan

Method

Melt butter with brown sugar and heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until smooth. Pour evenly into the bottom of your baking dish.
Arrange the bread slices snugly over the caramel layer.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour this custard evenly over the bread slices.
Cover and refrigerate overnight or let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes to let the bread soak up the custard.
Bake uncovered at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes until puffed and golden. Let rest 5 minutes, then carefully invert the dish so the caramelized layer becomes the top.

Notes

Day‑old brioche or challah gives the best custard texture. Serve warm with fresh berries, lightly sweetened whipped cream, or a strong coffee. This casserole also freezes well—wrap tightly and freeze up to 1 month.

Ingredients

This recipe uses simple ingredients that transform into something magical once baked and caramelized.

Thick slices of brioche or challah bread
Unsalted butter
Brown sugar
Heavy cream
Whole milk
Large eggs
Vanilla extract
Ground cinnamon
Salt

Tip: Day-old bread works best, soaking up the custard without falling apart key for perfect sweet breakfast recipes.

If you’re craving something savory alongside your sweet brunch, these Cheesy Ranch Potatoes pair beautifully with this French toast

Timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Rest Time (optional): Overnight or 30 minutes
Bake Time: 40–45 minutes
Total Time: About 1 hour (or prep ahead overnight)

Compared to stovetop French toast, this easy breakfast casserole saves hands-on time and stress.

For a comforting, cheesy dinner later in the day, try our Delicious Tater Tot Casserole Recipe it’s a weeknight favorite.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Make the Caramel Base

Melt butter with brown sugar and cream in a saucepan until smooth. Pour into the bottom of a baking dish.

Why it matters: This layer becomes the signature crackly “crème brûlée” topping once baked and flipped.

Step 2: Arrange the Bread

Place bread slices snugly over the caramel layer.

Pro tip: Slightly overlapping is fine this helps retain moisture for custardy results.

Step 3: Prepare the Custard

Whisk eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Pour evenly over the bread.

This step is what transforms it into rich baked French toast.

Step 4: Rest or Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate overnight, or let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Why rest? Overnight soaking deepens flavor and makes this ideal for holiday brunch ideas.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Bake uncovered until puffed, golden, and bubbling. Let rest 5 minutes, then invert carefully to reveal the caramelized top.

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

Calories: 450 per serving
Protein: 12g
Carbohydrates: 48g
Fat: 25g

Rich, yes but perfect for special mornings and balanced with fresh fruit.

Balance this indulgent breakfast with something wholesome later like our Healthy Chicken Pot Pie

Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe

Lower Sugar: Reduce caramel by 25%
Dairy-Free: Use coconut cream and almond milk
Whole Grain: Use whole-grain brioche-style bread
Lighter: Serve smaller portions with berries

These tweaks keep Crème Brûlée French Toast flexible for different lifestyles.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with:

Fresh berries
Lightly sweetened whipped cream
Espresso or strong coffee

This dish pairs beautifully with savory sides like eggs or bacon for a complete brunch recipe spread.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using thin bread → leads to soggy texture
Skipping rest time → uneven custard
Overbaking → dries out the center

Avoid these and your overnight French toast will be flawless.

Storing Tips for the Recipe

Refrigerate: Up to 3 days
Reheat: Oven at 325°F, covered
Make Ahead: Assemble fully the night before

This makes it one of the most stress-free sweet breakfast recipes for guests.

Conclusion

This Crème Brûlée French Toast is everything brunch should be: cozy, indulgent, and unforgettable. With its caramelized base and soft custard center, it turns an ordinary morning into a celebration.

Try it once and don’t be surprised if it becomes your signature brunch dish.

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