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Crème brûlée French toast: Golden, caramelized breakfast treat.
Lady Maria

Crème Brûlée French Toast

Rich, creamy, and indulgent, this Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe transforms a breakfast classic into a decadent masterpiece with a custard-soaked center and a caramelized sugar crust.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 3 servings
Course: Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine: American, French
Calories: 490
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 6 thick slices of brioche or challah bread
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 2 tbsp butter, for cooking
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar, for caramelizing

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • whisk
  • Large skillet or griddle
  • Kitchen torch or oven broiler
  • Spatula
  • tongs

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, 1/4 cup sugar, vanilla extract, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and slightly frothy.
  2. Dip each bread slice into the custard, soaking for about 30 seconds per side until well-saturated but not soggy.
  3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add soaked slices, ensuring not to overcrowd.
  4. Cook 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and custard is set inside. Repeat with remaining slices, adding more butter as needed.
  5. Sprinkle each cooked slice with 1–2 tsp granulated sugar.
  6. Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize sugar until golden and crackly. Or broil 1–2 min in oven, watching closely.
  7. Serve immediately while the caramelized tops are still warm and crispy.

Notes

Use thick-cut brioche or challah for best results. Don’t oversoak the bread, and serve immediately after caramelizing the sugar to maintain the crackly texture. Top with berries, whipped cream, or maple syrup for an even more luxurious touch.