Overnight Creme Brulee French Toast Bake Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- Prepare Pan: Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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
