Description
This Overnight Creme Brûlée French Toast Bake is a decadent and effortless breakfast casserole featuring buttery caramelized sugar, thick cubes of French bread, and a rich custard soaked overnight. Perfectly baked to golden, syrupy perfection, it can be served warm with sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries for a luxurious morning treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Caramel Mixture
- 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter
- ¾ cup (159 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, corn syrup or pancake syrup
French Toast Bake
- 6 to 8 1-inch thick slices French bread, cut into ¾-inch cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Serving
- Sweetened whipped cream
- Fresh strawberries or raspberries
Instructions
- Prepare Caramel Base: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until the sugar dissolves, stirring to combine. Alternatively, melt and combine these ingredients in a pan on the stove.
- Grease Baking Dish: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Layer Caramel and Bread: Spread the caramel mixture evenly over the bottom of the prepared pan. Then arrange the bread cubes in a single, mostly even layer atop the caramel.
- Mix Custard: In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Bread and Custard: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, ensuring they are well submerged.
- Chill Overnight: Cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for 8 to 10 hours to allow the bread to soak thoroughly.
- Preheat and Bake: Remove the pan from the refrigerator and discard cover. Place in a cold oven, then preheat to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 30 to 35 minutes until the bread is golden and the caramel syrup bubbles.
- Optional Flip for Even Caramelization: For a golden syrupy top on both sides, bake the casserole uncovered for 20 minutes, then carefully flip the bread cubes using a large spatula and bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes.
- Serve: Serve the French toast bake warm, topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries or raspberries for a beautiful presentation and delightful flavor combination.
Notes
- Texture Preference: For a softer, milkier, or more custard-like French toast bake, increase half-and-half to 1 ½ cups and reduce eggs to 5 instead of 4.
- Bread Choice: If using artisan bread with thick crusts, consider removing crusts for a more tender texture. Soft French bread with thinner crust works well as-is.
- Bread Cubes Quantity: Use enough bread cubes to form a nearly even single layer in a 9×13-inch pan. Some stacking is acceptable but avoid large overlaps.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of the casserole)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0.3g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 115mg
