Save Pin
This luscious Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole turns your ordinary morning meal into something truly special – like having dessert at breakfast time. The sugary top gets wonderfully crunchy while underneath, the bread stays soft and velvety after soaking in rich custard.
I whipped this up for the first time during Christmas morning about three years back and it's been our must-have family tradition since. I love that I can make it the night before – means I can actually enjoy my coffee and watch everyone open presents instead of being trapped in the kitchen while all the fun happens.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: gives you that rich caramel foundation without extra salt
- Brown sugar: adds that wonderful deep, almost smoky sweetness to your caramel
- Corn syrup: keeps your caramel lovely and smooth with no grainy bits
- Large eggs: add richness and help the custard set up nicely
- Whole milk: creates the perfect creamy texture, don't go with reduced fat kinds
- Vanilla extract: brings lovely background flavor, go for real stuff not the fake kind
- French bread: has just the right thickness to soak up custard without turning mushy
- Ground cinnamon: you can skip it, but it really brings a nice cozy warmth
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Caramel Base:
- In a pan over medium heat, mix butter, brown sugar and corn syrup together. Keep an eye on it as it bubbles for about 3-4 minutes until it's totally smooth. Pour it right away into your baking dish, spreading it evenly. Don't worry if it starts to harden a bit as it cools – that's actually good for getting that real crème brûlée feel.
- Arrange the Bread:
- Cut your French bread into thick slices (about an inch) and lay them over the caramel in one layer. You might need to push them together or overlap them a bit depending on your bread. You want a nice solid bread layer that'll soak up all that custard goodness. Fun fact: slightly stale bread actually works better since it soaks up more liquid.
- Prepare the Custard:
- Mix eggs, milk, vanilla, salt and cinnamon together until they're well combined and a bit foamy. Slowly pour this mixture over your bread, giving each piece time to start soaking before adding more. Gently push down on the bread to help it absorb the custard. Cover everything with plastic wrap and stick it in the fridge overnight (or at least 4 hours). This sitting time really matters for getting that perfect custardy texture.
- Bake to Perfection:
- Heat your oven to 350°F and let the casserole sit out for about 15 minutes while the oven warms up. Bake it uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a nice golden color and the custard sets. You'll know it's done when the middle doesn't wiggle anymore but still looks moist. The edges should be getting a bit crispy and pulling away from the dish sides.
- Serve with Style:
- Let it cool for 5 minutes then flip portions onto plates so the caramel side shows on top. When you reveal that glistening caramel layer, everyone will be impressed. Try adding some fresh berries for color and a bit of tartness that works well with all the sweetness.
Save Pin
You Must Know
I won't skip the corn syrup in this dish anymore. I once tried making it without and my caramel got all grainy instead of smooth and shiny. That tiny amount really makes the difference between something just okay and something amazing.
Choosing the Right Bread
Your bread choice really matters for how this turns out. Bread that's a day old works best because it's lost some moisture and can soak up more custard without getting soggy. French bread has the perfect structure, but using brioche or challah will make it even richer thanks to their extra eggs and butter. Don't use regular sliced sandwich bread as it'll just fall apart during the overnight soak.
Make It Your Own
Feel free to change this casserole up a bit. Try putting some thin apple slices between the bread pieces, or add some orange zest to your custard for a bright flavor kick. For a more grown-up version, throw in a spoonful of Grand Marnier or bourbon. When fall comes around, swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice. The dish turns out great even with these little tweaks.
Save Pin
Serving Suggestions
This casserole tastes great on its own but goes really well with sides that cut through the sweetness. Try serving it with some crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory balance. A side of fresh fruit salad adds a nice refreshing touch. If you want to go all out, you can drizzle warm maple syrup over individual servings, though many folks find it's sweet enough already. When serving it for brunch, add a simple green salad with vinaigrette to round out the meal.
Common Questions
- → Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! Just put everything together the night before, pop it in the fridge, and bake it when you wake up.
- → What bread works best?
Go for challah, brioche, or a nice French loaf. They'll soak up all that yummy custard and make your dish extra tasty.
- → How do I get that super crunchy top?
Throw some chunky sugar on top during the final 10 minutes of baking, or if you're feeling fancy, use a kitchen torch to get that crackling finish.
- → Is there a way to make it without gluten?
You bet! Just swap in your favorite gluten-free bread. Make sure it's firm enough to hold the custard mixture without falling apart.
- → What should I put on top?
Fresh berries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, or some maple syrup work wonders. For something special, try some cooked apples or pears on top.