This Creme Brulee French Toast is made with thick-sliced bread, butter, eggs, brown sugar, and cream for a rich, decadent breakfast that tastes like dessert. Prepped the night before and baked straight from the refrigerator in the morning, it’s one of those recipes that feels impressive with very little effort on the day you serve it.
Recipe Highlights
- Flexible bread options: Texas toast, French bread, or brioche all work beautifully in this recipe.
- Prep it the night before: This recipe is assembled the evening before and refrigerated overnight, so all you have to do in the morning is pop it in the oven.
- Rich, dessert-like flavor: The brown sugar and cream give this French toast a caramelized, custard-like flavor that lives up to its crème brûlée name.
- Perfect for feeding a crowd: Baked on a large jelly roll pan, this recipe makes enough to serve a full table without standing over the stove.
- Simple ingredients: Everything in this recipe is made with basic pantry and refrigerator staples.
- Served with syrup butter: A simple maple butter syrup takes this French toast completely over the top.
Ingredients in Creme Brulee French Toast
- Butter: Real butter works best here, both in the caramelized base and in the syrup butter served alongside. Don’t substitute margarine — the flavor won’t be the same.
- Brown sugar: Light brown sugar adds the deep, caramel-like sweetness that gives this recipe its crème brûlée flavor. Dark brown sugar can be used for a more intense taste.
- Corn syrup: Just two tablespoons help thicken the butter and brown sugar mixture so it coats the pan and bread evenly.
- Texas toast bread: Thick-sliced bread is key to this recipe. Texas toast, French bread, or brioche all work well — the thickness keeps the bread from getting soggy and helps it soak up the custard perfectly.
- Eggs: Five large eggs create the rich custard mixture that soaks into the bread overnight.
- Half and half: Half and half gives the custard a creamy, rich consistency. Milk can be substituted, but the result will be slightly less rich, especially with lower-fat varieties.
- Salt: Just a small pinch enhances all the other flavors and keeps the sweetness balanced.
- Vanilla extract: One teaspoon of quality vanilla extract adds warmth and depth to the custard mixture.
- Syrup Butter
- Butter: Two sticks of butter make a generous batch of syrup butter — plenty to serve with this French toast and save for pancakes and waffles all week.
- Maple syrup: Real maple syrup gives the syrup butter the best flavor. Stir it into the melted butter until smooth and heated through.
Tips for the Best Creme Brulee French Toast
Full instructions can be found on the recipe card below, but here are a few helpful tips.
- Use thick bread: Thin sandwich bread won’t hold up to the overnight soak. Texas toast, brioche, or French bread sliced thickly are all great options.
- Spread the brown sugar mixture evenly: Make sure the butter and brown sugar base covers the entire pan so every slice of bread gets that caramelized coating on the bottom.
- Don’t skip the overnight rest: The overnight refrigeration allows the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture, which is what gives this French toast its rich, custardy texture.
- Grease the pan well: In addition to the butter and sugar base, make sure the pan is greased so everything releases cleanly when serving.
- Serve immediately: Once out of the oven, flip and serve right away while the caramelized bottom is still glossy and warm.
- Make extra syrup butter: It keeps well in the refrigerator and is incredible on pancakes, waffles, and regular French toast throughout the week.
Storage Instructions
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or in the oven at 350°F until warmed through.
Leftover syrup butter can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Warm gently on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.
Creme Brulee French Toast Recipe
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, melt butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over medium heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Pour mixture onto large, greased jelly roll pan (10.5X15.5X1). Spread to evenly cover entire pan.
- Place 9-12 slices bread in a single layer to completely cover pan.
- Mix together eggs, cream, salt and vanilla. Spoon mixture evenly over all the bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Bake uncovered at 350° for about 30 minutes. Remove from pan and serve immediately.
- While baking, make the syrup butter. Melt butter in saucepan and add maple syrup, stirring until smooth and heated through. Serve with the French toast.
Nutrition
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FAQs
Can I use milk instead of half and half?
Yes, whole milk is the best substitute if you don’t have half and half. Skim or 1% milk will work but will result in a less rich, less creamy custard.
What type of bread works best?
Texas toast is a great choice because of its thickness, but French bread and brioche are equally delicious. Whatever you choose, look for thick slices that can hold up to the overnight soak without falling apart.
Do I have to let it refrigerate overnight?
The overnight rest is highly recommended for the best texture and flavor. If you’re short on time, a minimum of 4 hours will work, but overnight gives the bread the most time to absorb the custard.
Can I make the syrup butter ahead of time?
Yes. The syrup butter can be made a few days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Just warm it gently before serving.
Do I need to serve this with the syrup butter?
The French toast has plenty of flavor on its own, but the syrup and butter really do take it to another level. It’s worth making if you have the time!
MORE DELICIOUS FRENCH TOAST RECIPES TO TRY:
- Made with refrigerated cinnamon rolls and ready in no time, Cinnamon Roll French Toast Casserole is a sweet, crowd-pleasing brunch recipe that’s perfect for holidays and special mornings.
- French Toast Bake is made the night before with soft bread, warm cinnamon, and brown sugar, then baked fresh in the morning and served with berries for a simple, comforting breakfast.
- Loaded with fresh strawberries and frozen mixed berries, this Berry French Toast Bake is made with French bread, eggs, and cream for a simple, delicious recipe that works for breakfast or dinner.
- Baked Cinnamon French Toast combines brown sugar, melted butter, and ground cinnamon for a warm, sweet, and aromatic breakfast that’s as comforting as it is delicious.
- With just 5 ingredients and a few simple steps, this Blueberry Croissant French Toast Bake is a buttery, flavorful breakfast casserole that comes together in no time.
Creme Brulee French Toast is made with bread, butter, eggs, brown sugar, and cream. Prepped the day before and refrigerated overnight, this decadent baked French toast recipe is the perfect breakfast!
E.T says
This French toast doesn’t necessarily scream “ crème brûlée” to me in taste, but that being said, the taste is AMAZING!!! This will become a new family recipe.
Jessica says
Glad to hear you liked it!
Marilyn says
Made it for Christmas breakfast and it was a huge hit. I followed the directions exactly and it came out amazing.
Jessica says
So glad to hear Marilyn!
Lori says
I wish there was a picture of this.
Nellie says
Not sure why the pictures weren’t showing up, but they should be there now! Thanks for letting us know!
Donna Evans says
My grandson wants this every Christmas. It Is decadent.
Jessica says
We make it for holidays too! Glad you both enjoy it!