Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel Recipe
If you’ve ever wished breakfast could feel as dreamy and decadent as dessert, you’re about to fall in love with Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel. This stunning brunch treat starts with thick slices of buttery brioche, bathed in rich vanilla custard and baked to golden, caramelized perfection. A drizzle of homemade salted caramel sauce takes everything over the top, combining sweet, salty, and creamy in every unforgettable bite. Whether you’re serving a holiday crowd or just treating yourself to something truly special, this recipe will have everyone at your table swooning.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredient list for Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is surprisingly simple, but each element is chosen for its role in creating a lush texture and layered flavor. Think eggs and cream for a custardy base, high-quality bread for structure, and a touch of cinnamon and vanilla for warmth and aroma.
- Brioche or challah bread: Opt for a rich, fluffy loaf—cutting it into thick slices ensures your French toast soaks up all the custard without turning mushy.
- Large eggs: These create the creamy custard that brings everything together.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and helps the custard soak deep into the bread.
- Heavy cream: Brings lushness and a hint of decadence to every bite.
- Brown sugar: Adds caramelly depth—essential for capturing that classic brûlée flavor.
- Granulated sugar: For a touch of sweetness and helping the caramel sauce reach that perfect amber color.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the custard with irresistible aroma and warmth.
- Ground cinnamon: Just a hint brings warmth and balance to all the creamy, sweet notes.
- Salt: A dash in both the custard and caramel sauce sharpens all the flavors and prevents things from being overly sweet.
- Unsalted butter: Dotting the top before baking gives you that gorgeous golden crust.
- For the salted caramel sauce: You’ll need granulated sugar, a splash of water, luscious butter, more heavy cream, and a pinch of sea salt—homemade is worth the extra few minutes!
How to Make Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel
Step 1: Prepare the Custard
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until you have a smooth, blended custard. Make sure everything is well combined, as this mixture is what will create that melt-in-your-mouth texture and infuse every bite with flavor.
Step 2: Assemble the French Toast
Arrange your thick slices of brioche or challah bread in a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, slightly overlapping. Pour the prepared custard evenly over the bread slices, pressing gently so each piece soaks up the liquid. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you’re prepping ahead for an easy morning.
Step 3: Bake to Perfection
When you’re ready to bake, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Take the French toast out of the fridge and dot the top generously with bits of unsalted butter. Bake uncovered for 35 to 40 minutes, until the top is golden brown, the center is set, and your kitchen smells utterly heavenly.
Step 4: Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
While your Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel bakes, make the sauce. Combine the granulated sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves completely. Then stop stirring and let it gently simmer until the mixture turns a deep, rich amber shade. Remove from heat, carefully whisk in the butter (it will bubble!), then heavy cream, and finally sea salt. Stir until velvety smooth.
Step 5: Serve and Enjoy
Once your French toast is perfectly puffed and bronzed, spoon out generous slices onto plates and drizzle each with lots of warm salted caramel sauce. The combination of custardy bread and rich, salty caramel is nothing short of magical.
How to Serve Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel
Garnishes
Take your Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel to new heights by showering each slice with toasted pecans, a dollop of freshly whipped cream, or a scattering of fresh berries. These finishing touches add color, crunch, and an extra hint of luxury that makes every plate irresistible.
Side Dishes
For a full brunch experience, pair your French toast with crispy bacon or savory breakfast sausages to offset the sweetness. A fresh fruit salad on the side not only brightens the plate but also balances every rich, custardy bite.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, try serving this dish in individual ramekins for a personalized, upscale touch. Or cut the baked slices into strips, layer in parfait glasses with caramel sauce and berries, and enjoy a brunch trifle. However you style it, the look and flavor will always impress.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), simply store cooled slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The French toast will keep beautifully for up to three days, its flavor often deepening with time.
Freezing
To freeze, wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap then foil, or use freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to two months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating for the best texture and taste.
Reheating
Reheat Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel uncovered in a 350°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or microwave individual portions for 1 to 2 minutes until warmed through. Warm the salted caramel sauce separately and drizzle generously right before serving.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of bread?
Yes! While brioche or challah deliver that unbeatable tender texture and mildly sweet flavor, you can use any sturdy, slightly stale bread such as French bread or even croissants. Just slice thickly and adjust soak time as needed.
Do I have to let the bread soak overnight?
Not absolutely, but giving the bread at least 2 hours in the fridge ensures the custard fully saturates each slice, resulting in the creamiest Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel. Overnight chilling makes for a truly effortless morning!
How do I avoid scrambled eggs in the custard?
Whisk your custard well and pour it evenly over the bread. Bake at the recommended temperature, and don’t rush—slow, steady heat is key to creamy results without any curdling.
What’s the best way to make the caramel sauce?
Be patient and keep a close eye while caramelizing the sugar. Let it reach a deep amber stage, then carefully whisk in the butter and cream. The sauce will bubble up—just keep stirring for that silkiest, shiny finish.
Can I make Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel gluten-free?
Absolutely! Use your favorite gluten-free brioche or bread, and make sure all your other ingredients (especially vanilla and granulated sugar) are certified gluten-free. The results are just as decadent and dreamy.
Final Thoughts
This Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel has all the makings of a new brunch tradition. Each bite is a celebration—custardy, golden bread under a luscious drizzle of rich salted caramel. Whether you’re hosting a crowd or treating yourself on a lazy morning, this is the recipe that’ll have friends and family swooning. Give it a try and watch breakfast become the highlight of your day!
Print
Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the luxurious flavors of Creme Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel. This decadent breakfast dish features rich custardy brioche slices baked to golden perfection and drizzled with a luscious salted caramel sauce. Perfect for a special brunch or holiday gathering!
Ingredients
Main French Toast:
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
- 5 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter for the pan
Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions
- Prepare French Toast: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugars, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Arrange bread slices in a greased baking dish, pour custard over, and refrigerate.
- Bake French Toast: Preheat oven, add butter to top, and bake until golden and set.
- Make Salted Caramel Sauce: Dissolve sugar in water, simmer to amber color, then add butter, cream, and salt.
- Serve: Drizzle warm French toast with salted caramel sauce.
Notes
- Top with toasted pecans, whipped cream, or fresh berries for added flair.
- Leftovers reheat well in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 25 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 170 mg
