Crème Brûlée French Toast
Crème Brûlée French Toast is a luxurious brunch dish combining the creamy richness of classic crème brûlée custard with crispy, golden-brown French toast. Featuring a caramelized sugar crust and a melt-in-your-mouth custardy interior, this recipe is easy to make, customizable, and perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a comforting weekend meal.
- Author: Judy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 6 slices 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Skillet cooking and caramelizing with kitchen torch or broiler
- Cuisine: French-inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Bread
- 6 thick slices day-old brioche or challah bread
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 4 egg yolks
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean seeds or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For Cooking
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Topping
- Brown sugar or turbinado sugar, enough to sprinkle on top of each slice
- Prepare the Custard Mixture: Whisk together the eggs, egg yolks, granulated sugar, heavy cream, whole milk, and vanilla until the mixture is smooth, rich, and slightly thick but still easy enough to soak into the bread.
- Soak the Bread: Dip each thick slice of brioche or challah into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak for a few minutes on each side to maximize flavor absorption and ensure a creamy center.
- Cook the French Toast: Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt the unsalted butter. Cook the soaked bread slices for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and caramelized, with a crisp exterior and custardy interior.
- Caramelize the Sugar Topping: Sprinkle an even layer of brown or turbinado sugar on top of each cooked slice. Use a kitchen torch to carefully melt and caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, shiny crust. Alternatively, use the oven broiler, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Serve Immediately: Serve the Crème Brûlée French Toast warm to enjoy the perfect contrast of textures and flavors while the caramelized sugar topping is still crisp.
Notes
- Choose sturdy, day-old brioche or challah bread to prevent sogginess.
- Do not rush the soaking process; allow the bread to absorb the custard thoroughly for maximum creaminess.
- A kitchen torch is the best tool to achieve an even caramelized crust without burning.
- Cook the French toast over medium heat to ensure the inside cooks evenly before the outside browns.
- If cooking multiple slices, keep finished pieces warm in the oven to preserve their texture before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 220 mg
Keywords: brûlée, crème brûlée, French toast, brunch, custard, caramelized sugar, brioche, challah