Print

Perfect Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake Recipe for a Crowd

overnight crème brûlée French toast bake - featured image
Print Recipe

A rich, creamy, and crowd-pleasing overnight French toast bake with a caramelized crème brûlée sugar topping, perfect for holiday brunches or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 loaf (about 1 pound / 450g) brioche or challah, cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 8 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups (480 ml) heavy cream
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk
  • ¾ cup (150 g) granulated sugar plus extra for topping
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest (optional)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Cut brioche or challah into 1-inch cubes. If bread is very fresh, toast lightly in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 10 minutes to dry it out.
  2. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with 2 tablespoons melted butter.
  3. Place the cubed bread in an even layer in the baking dish, gently shaking to settle but not squashing.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, orange zest, and salt until smooth and creamy.
  5. Pour custard mixture over the bread cubes, pressing gently so bread soaks evenly. Let sit for 10 minutes or cover and refrigerate overnight.
  6. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove dish from refrigerator and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
  7. Bake uncovered for 45-50 minutes until custard is set around edges but slightly jiggly in center and top is golden and puffed.
  8. Sprinkle 2-3 tablespoons granulated sugar evenly over the top. Using a culinary torch, brûlée the sugar until caramelized and crisp. Alternatively, broil for 2-3 minutes watching closely.
  9. Allow to cool for 5 minutes so crust hardens and custard firms slightly. Cut into squares and serve warm.

Notes

Use day-old or slightly stale brioche or challah for best custard absorption. If bread is fresh, toast cubes lightly to dry. Use a culinary torch for best caramelized sugar topping; broiler can be used as an alternative. Cover edges with foil if browning too fast. Let eggs and dairy come to room temperature before mixing. Avoid over-soaking bread to prevent mushiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: overnight French toast bake, crème brûlée French toast, brunch recipe, crowd-pleaser, holiday brunch, caramelized sugar topping

Find it online: https://zoeplate.com/perfect-overnight-cr-e-me-br-u-l-e-e-french-toast-bake-recipe-for-a-crowd-easy-and-delicious/