Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast Bake Recipe

Introduction

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake is a perfectly sweet and creamy breakfast treat that’s easy to prepare the night before. Layers of buttery brown sugar and maple syrup combine with custardy bread cubes to create a rich, comforting dish. Wake up to a golden, bubbly casserole ready to bake and impress.

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter
• ¾ cup (159 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or substitute corn syrup or pancake syrup)
• 6 to 8 slices French bread, 1-inch thick, cut into ¾-inch cubes
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Sweetened whipped cream, for serving
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries, for serving

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Alternatively, melt these ingredients together in a pan on the stove.
2. Step 2: Lightly grease a 9×13-inch pan with cooking spray.
3. Step 3: Spread the brown sugar mixture evenly across the bottom of the prepared pan. Arrange the bread cubes in a single, even layer on top.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, and salt until well blended.
5. Step 5: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread cubes, making sure all pieces are well covered.
6. Step 6: Cover the pan with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for 8 to 10 hours.
7. Step 7: The next morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator and uncover it. Place it in a cold oven and preheat the oven to 350°F.
8. Step 8: Bake for 30-35 minutes until the bread is golden and the caramel mixture is bubbling. For a reverse caramel topping, half-bake for 20 minutes, then flip the bread pieces and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes.
9. Step 9: Serve immediately topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries for a delightful finish.

Tips & Variations

• For added texture, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts over the brown sugar mixture before adding the bread cubes.
• Use challah or brioche bread as an alternative to French bread for extra richness.
• Swap half-and-half with whole milk or heavy cream depending on how rich you want the custard.
• To make it dairy-free, substitute butter with coconut oil and half-and-half with almond or oat milk.

Storage

Store any leftover French toast bake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or in a 350°F oven until warmed through. This dish is best enjoyed fresh but can be frozen for up to 1 month; thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this without overnight chilling?

While you can bake it immediately, refrigerating overnight allows the bread to soak up the custard fully, enhancing flavor and texture.

What bread works best for this recipe?

French bread is recommended for its sturdy texture, but brioche or challah work wonderfully for a richer, softer bake.

Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 115 reviews

This Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake is a decadent and comforting breakfast casserole that combines rich brown sugar caramel, tender French bread cubes soaked in a vanilla-egg custard, and a golden-baked finish. Prepared the night before and baked in the morning, it’s perfect for a crowd or special weekend brunch, topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh berries for an elegant touch.

• Author: Emma
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French-American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Caramel Mixture

• 6 tablespoons (85 g) butter
• ¾ cup (159 g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (or substitute corn syrup or pancake syrup)

French Toast Bake

• 6 to 8 slices French bread, 1-inch thick, cut into ¾-inch cubes
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Serving

• Sweetened whipped cream, for serving
• Fresh strawberries or raspberries, for serving

Instructions

1. Combine Ingredients: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the butter, brown sugar, and maple syrup. Microwave for 1-2 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Alternatively, melt these ingredients together in a pan on the stove to create a smooth caramel mixture.
2. Prepare Pan: Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
3. Spread Mixture: Spread the prepared brown sugar caramel mixture evenly across the bottom of the greased pan. Then, arrange the cubed French bread in a single, even layer over the caramel base.
4. Mix Eggs and Liquid: In a separate bowl or liquid measuring cup, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
5. Pour Over Bread: Pour the egg custard mixture evenly over the bread cubes in the pan, ensuring every piece is well saturated with the liquid.
6. Refrigerate: Cover the baking pan tightly with foil or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for 8 to 10 hours. This allows the bread to soak up the custard and flavors to meld.
7. Preheat Oven: The next morning, remove the pan from the refrigerator and uncover it. Place the pan in a cold oven, then preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
8. Bake: Once the oven reaches temperature, bake the casserole for 30-35 minutes until the bread on top is golden brown and the caramel mixture is bubbling. For a reverse caramel topping effect, bake for 20 minutes, carefully flip the bread pieces, and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes.
9. Serve: Serve the French toast bake immediately, topped with sweetened whipped cream and fresh strawberries or raspberries for a delightful and visually appealing finishing touch.

Notes

• Use day-old or slightly stale French bread for best absorption of custard.
• For a richer flavor, substitute half-and-half with heavy cream.
• If preferred, brown sugar can be adjusted to taste, but it provides the signature caramel flavor.
• Ensure the pan is greased well to prevent sticking of the caramel and bread mixture.
• The overnight soak is critical for a custardy texture; do not skip refrigeration.
• The flipping step for reverse caramel topping is optional but adds a lovely caramelized crust.
• Use fresh berries of choice to add a tart and fresh contrast to the sweet bake.

Keywords: overnight French toast bake, crème brûlée French toast, baked French toast casserole, caramel French toast, breakfast casserole