Description
This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast is a decadent and delicious breakfast casserole featuring a rich caramel base topped with layers of tender French bread soaked in a creamy egg custard. Prepared ahead of time and baked to golden perfection, it serves up to 8 people, combining the indulgence of crème brûlée flavors with the comfort of classic French toast.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Layer
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons corn syrup
Main Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced
- 5 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Make the Caramel: In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup together, stirring occasionally until the mixture is smooth and fully combined. This will form the rich caramel base for the casserole.
- Prepare the Baking Dish: Pour the hot caramel mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly across the bottom.
- Layer the Bread: Arrange the sliced French bread evenly over the caramel layer, making sure the bread covers the entire dish for optimal soaking.
- Mix the Egg Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined to create the custard mixture.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the egg custard evenly over the bread slices. Gently press the bread down with a spatula or your hands to help the custard permeate through the bread.
- Chill Overnight: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard flavors.
- Preheat the Oven: When ready to cook, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Bake the Casserole: Remove the dish from the refrigerator and bake uncovered in the preheated oven for 40 to 45 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown, puffed, and set.
- Flip and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly after baking, then carefully invert it onto a serving platter to reveal the beautiful caramel crust on top. Slice and serve warm for a delightful breakfast treat.
Notes
- Use day-old or slightly stale French bread for the best texture, as it absorbs the custard without becoming too soggy.
- For extra indulgence, sprinkle a little coarse sugar on top before baking to enhance the crème brûlée effect.
- If you prefer a crunchier caramel topping, broil the inverted casserole for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Make sure to evenly distribute the bread slices so that the caramel layer gets showcased beautifully when flipped.
- This dish can be reheated in the oven at 325°F (160°C) for 10-15 minutes if prepared in advance.
