Indulge in a decadent baked French toast casserole with rich crème brûlée flavors, perfect for a holiday morning treat. This easy make-ahead breakfast comes together the night before, for stress-free hosting while delighting your guests.
An Elegant Breakfast Bake
Transform simple ingredients into a show-stopping baked French toast, with rich vanilla custard flavors and a golden brown sugar crust. Every crunchy, caramelized bite tastes like crème brûlée.
Keep the crusts on the cubed bread before soaking to maintain texture, and resist sogginess. Let it sit overnight, then bake until perfectly golden and bubbly.
Top off this elegant casserole with sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries for a bright pop of color and fruit. Raspberries and strawberries make excellent choices.
Overnight Method Simplifies Preparation
What really sets this recipe apart is the handy overnight prep. Simply mix it up the night before, then bake straight from the fridge. No need to labor over the stove in the morning when you’re trying to get a special breakfast on the table.
Assemble the casserole in just 10 minutes the night prior. Melt butter with brown sugar and maple syrup, then mix an egg custard and pour over the bread cubes. Refrigerate 8-10 hours before baking.
Delicious for Holidays or Weekends
Serve this showstopper on Christmas morning or New Year’s Day brunch for real wow factor. But it also makes for an indulgent weekend treat when you want something extra special.
Just avoid soggy bread midweek; this one’s best saved for special occasions. Serve with eggs, breakfast meats and fresh fruit on the side. It promises to be a new family favorite!
Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast
Ingredients
- 6 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup 159g packed light or dark brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup can substitute corn syrup or pancake syrup
- 6 to 8 slices 1-inch thick French bread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Sweetened whipped cream + fresh strawberries/raspberries for serving
Instructions
- Add butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 1-2 minutes until sugar is dissolved. Stir to combine.
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- Spread brown sugar mixture evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer over the brown sugar mixture.
- In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half-and-half, vanilla, and salt.
- Pour egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes.
- Cover baking pan and refrigerate overnight, 8-10 hours.
- Remove pan from refrigerator, uncover, and place in cold oven.
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Once preheated, bake 30-35 minutes until bread is golden brown and syrup is bubbling.
- Serve immediately with sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries.
Notes
- For softer French toast, increase half-and-half to 1 1⁄2 cups and eggs to 5.
- If using artisan bread with heavy crusts, consider removing them first.
- Bread cubes should cover bottom of pan in a single, tight layer.
