If you’ve ever dreamed about starting your morning with pure decadence, then Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is about to make all your brunch wishes come true. Picture lush slices of tender brioche baked to golden, custardy perfection, crowned with a glistening layer of homemade salted caramel—each bite a symphony of sweet, salty, creamy, and buttery flavors. This showstopper isn’t just a treat for breakfast; it’s a celebration in a pan, guaranteed to steal the spotlight at any brunch, holiday gathering, or lazy weekend morning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is how its simple ingredients combine to bring out an irresistible mix of textures and flavors. Every element plays a role, whether it’s creating that silk-smooth custard, a tender crumb, or the heavenly caramel drizzle. Here’s what brings it all to life:
- Brioche or challah bread: Thick slices soak up the custard without falling apart, creating a pillowy base with rich flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Adds creamy depth to the caramelized bottom and the salted caramel sauce.
- Brown sugar: creates a gooey, caramelized crust on the bottom of the casserole for amazing texture.
- Light corn syrup: Keeps the base glossy and prevents the sugar from crystallizing.
- Large eggs: Bind everything together and give the custard its classic creamy richness.
- Whole milk: Provides a silky backdrop for the custard.
- Heavy cream: Doubles down on the richness for an ultra-luxurious bite.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out and deepens the sweet, aromatic flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: Adds a whisper of warmth and subtle spice.
- Salt: Essential for balance, keeping the sweetness lively instead of cloying.
- Granulated sugar (for caramel): Becomes the glistening base for our luscious caramel sauce.
- More unsalted butter (for caramel): Gives the sauce its glossy finish and another hit of richness.
- More heavy cream (for caramel): Makes the caramel pourable and creamy-smooth.
- Sea salt (for caramel): The secret to awakening every flavor in the sauce and cutting the sweetness perfectly.
How to Make Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel
Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish
Start by greasing your 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray. This step prevents sticking and helps your Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel release perfectly golden with every slice.
Step 2: Create the Caramel Layer
In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter, brown sugar, and light corn syrup together, stirring until smooth and glossy. Pour this irresistibly gooey mixture evenly into the bottom of your prepared baking dish—this forms that magical caramelized bottom everyone raves about.
Step 3: Layer the Bread
Arrange your sliced brioche or challah in a single snuggly layer over the caramel. The bread acts as a sponge, soon to absorb all the delicious custard and caramel flavors swirling below.
Step 4: Mix the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until smooth and fully blended. The mixture should look rich and just slightly frothy, ready to soak into the bread and bake up creamy and tender.
Step 5: Soak and Chill
Pour the custard evenly over all the bread slices, making sure each piece gets completely saturated. Gently press the bread down with your hands or a spatula to help it soak up the maximum flavor. Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight for best results. This is where the magic of Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel really happens—each slice drinks in the custard, guaranteeing a luscious bite from top to bottom.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the baking dish sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to take the chill off, then bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes until the top is puffed, golden, and just set. The aroma will draw everyone to the kitchen long before you pull it from the oven!
Step 7: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
While the French toast bakes, create the crowning touch: homemade salted caramel. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the granulated sugar, stirring constantly until it turns into an amber syrup. Carefully add the butter and stir until melted, followed by the heavy cream (add slowly, as it will bubble). Remove from heat, sprinkle in the sea salt, and let the sauce cool slightly—it should be silky, pourable, and deeply golden. This salted caramel takes Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel straight to the next level.
Step 8: Serve and Enjoy!
Once the French toast is baked and bubbling at the edges, drizzle it generously with the warm salted caramel. Bask in the applause—you’ve just served a brunch masterpiece!
How to Serve Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel
Garnishes
A dish this special deserves some thoughtful finishing touches. Sprinkle a dusting of powdered sugar, scatter fresh berries for tart contrast, or add a generous dollop of whipped cream on each portion. For an extra decadent flourish, a light sprinkle of flaky sea salt over the caramel amplifies that sweet-salty magic. Every garnish brings extra color, texture, and a sense of celebration to Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel.
Side Dishes
This stunning main pairs brilliantly with lighter accompaniments. Serve it alongside a crisp, tangy fruit salad, peppery arugula tossed with lemon, or even simple Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness. For special occasions, add savory bacon, sausage, or a simple scramble on the side—just enough to round out the meal without overshadowing your French toast’s starring role.
Creative Ways to Present
Have a little fun showcasing your Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel. Try cutting the baked slices into triangles for a fancier platter, or serve individual portions in small ramekins for an elevated touch. For brunch parties, consider setting up a toppings bar with berries, nuts, whipped cream, and more caramel—let everyone customize their perfect bite!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you find yourself with extra Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel (lucky you!), let it cool to room temperature, then wrap the dish or transfer slices to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, it will keep beautifully for up to three days without losing its signature lusciousness.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap individual slices of French toast and the caramel sauce separately in airtight containers or freezer bags. This makes it easy to take out just what you need! Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating. While it’s best enjoyed fresh, freezing helps preserve all that custardy, caramel-heavy goodness for up to two months.
Reheating
Warm leftover French toast in a 325°F (163°C) oven for about 15 minutes, or until heated through and slightly crisped at the edges. Gently reheat the caramel sauce in the microwave or on the stovetop, stirring until smooth and pourable, then drizzle generously just before serving to revive every sweet-salty note.
FAQs
Can I use a different type Breakfast
Absolutely! While brioche and challah are the gold standards for their soft, rich texture, you can use French bread or even thick-cut Texas toast in a pinch. Just be sure to choose a sturdy bread that can soak up the custard without falling apart.
Is it essential to chill the French toast overnight?
For the creamiest, most flavorful Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel, chilling overnight is ideal. It allows the bread to fully absorb the custard for that lush, melt-in-your-mouth texture. If you’re short on time, aim for at least a 4-hour soak.
Can I make the salted caramel sauce ahead of time?
Definitely! The caramel sauce can be made up to a week ahead. Simply store it in an airtight container in the fridge and gently reheat before drizzling—it actually develops an even deeper flavor as it sits.
How do I prevent the caramel from burning?
Keep a close eye on the sugar as it melts, stirring constantly and lowering the heat once it begins to darken. The process can change quickly, so patience and attention are key. If you’re nervous, use a light-colored pan to better judge the color.
Is this recipe suitable for special occasions or larger gatherings?
Yes! Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is perfect for holidays, brunches, and family gatherings. It feeds a crowd, can be prepped ahead, and guarantees rave reviews every single time—it’s practically made for sharing and making memories.
Final Thoughts
There’s a reason Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel wins hearts and leaves everyone swooning at first bite. With its dreamy custard interior and crown of silky caramel, it’s the ultimate treat-yourself breakfast—luxurious but totally achievable. Gather your people, pour the coffee, and serve up a brunch to remember—it’s pure joy on a plate!
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Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus overnight soak)
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 6–8 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and decadent flavors of this Creme Brûlée French Toast with a luscious Salted Caramel topping. Perfect for a special brunch or holiday morning treat!
Ingredients
For the French Toast:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (sliced 1-inch thick)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Salted Caramel:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into pieces)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare the French Toast: Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Melt butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup in a saucepan. Pour into the dish, add bread slices. Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, salt. Pour over bread, refrigerate.
- Bake: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the French toast for 35–40 minutes until golden.
- Make the Salted Caramel: Heat sugar in a saucepan until amber-colored. Add butter, cream, sea salt. Drizzle over baked French toast before serving.
Notes
- This French toast is a great make-ahead dish for busy mornings.
- Prepare the caramel sauce in advance for easy serving.
- Enhance with fresh berries or whipped cream for a delightful finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 510
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 330mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 195mg
