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Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
Annie Graves

Crème Brûlée French Toast – A Luxurious Twist on a Classic Breakfast

Indulge in this Crème Brûlée French Toast! Rich, creamy, and caramelized to perfection, it’s the ultimate breakfast treat for a special occasion.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 29 minutes
Total Time 44 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: French
Calories: 450
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the French Toast
  • 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread sliced into 1-inch thick slices
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
  • A pinch of salt
For the Crème Brûlée Topping
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter melted
Optional Toppings
  • Fresh berries strawberries, raspberries, blueberries
  • Whipped cream
  • Powdered sugar
  • Maple syrup
Substitutions
  • Vegan: Use plant-based milk and a vegan egg substitute and replace the butter with coconut oil.
  • Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free bread.
  • Low-Sodium: This recipe is naturally low-sodium.

Method
 

Prepare the Custard
  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined.
Soak the Bread
  1. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in a shallow dish or baking pan.
  2. Pour the custard mixture over the bread, making sure each slice is fully soaked.
  3. Let the bread sit for at least 10 minutes to absorb the custard.
Cook the French Toast
  1. Heat a large non-stick skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a little butter or oil.
  2. Place the soaked bread slices in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
  3. Transfer the cooked French toast to a baking sheet.
Make the Crème Brûlée Topping
  1. Brush each slice of French toast with melted butter, then sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar on top of each slice.
Caramelize the Sugar
  1. Preheat your oven’s broiler on high.
  2. Place the sugar-topped French toast under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, or until the sugar is bubbly and caramelized.
  3. Watch closely to avoid burning!
  4. Alternatively, you can use a kitchen torch to carefully caramelize the sugar on each slice.
Serve
  1. Serve the Crème Brûlée French Toast hot, topped with fresh berries, whipped cream, or a dusting of powdered sugar.
  2. Enjoy!

Notes

Nutritional Information (Per Serving - 1 slice of French toast):

  • Calories: 400-450
  • Carbohydrates: 45g
  • Protein: 10g
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Sugar: 20g

 

Notes/Advice:

  • Additions/Subtractions:
    • If you prefer a less sweet French toast, reduce the amount of sugar in the custard and use less sugar for the brûlée topping.
    • You can use any type of thick bread, but brioche and challah work best for their light, buttery texture.
    • Feel free to experiment with different flavors—try adding a splash of rum or bourbon to the custard for a boozy twist.