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Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole

Featured in Sweet Treats & Baked Goods.

This dish mashes up crème brûlée’s sweetness with the comfort of French toast. Thick bread slices soak overnight in a cinnamon-vanilla custard, then everything bakes on a yummy caramel base until the top turns golden crisp but the middle stays soft. Flip out gooey slices and let that shiny, caramel bottom steal the show. Try a sprinkle of powdered sugar or toss on fresh berries. For an extra treat, use challah or brioche. You can prep the whole thing the night ahead so mornings feel easy, especially for holiday breakfasts or hanging out with friends and family.

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Sarah Recipes
Updated on Sat, 24 May 2025 21:09:29 GMT
Dreamy Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole Pin it
Dreamy Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole | recipesaddicts.com

This over-the-top Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole is the ultimate cozy treat for a slow morning or hurrah brunch. The bread soaks up the creamy custard and bakes up with a crackly caramel top, buttery and soft underneath. You can make it the night before, then pop it in the oven at sunrise and kick back with your coffee. My folks rave every time, especially for lazy weekends or holiday mornings. Anyone craving a dreamy, do-ahead breakfast bursting with dessert vibes will be in love with this one.

When I made this for brunch, folks devoured it before I grabbed a plate. Now my family begs for it every holiday morning.

Delicious Ingredients

  • French bread: soaks up all that custard goodness and stays sturdy. Pick one with a crunchy crust
  • Ground cinnamon: adds cozy flavor. Freshly ground boosts the aroma
  • Salt: makes the sweetness shine even more
  • Vanilla extract: gives warm flavor and a big boost if you use the real deal
  • Whole milk: makes the dish super soft and rich. Got an even higher-fat milk? That works too
  • Large eggs: the base for all that dreamy custard. Grab the freshest you can
  • Corn syrup: keeps your caramel nice and glossy (no crystals messing things up)
  • Brown sugar: for that deep caramel sweetness with a little molasses hit
  • Unsalted butter: brings buttery goodness and helps nail the caramel lid (sweet cream butter is awesome)

Super Simple Steps

Serve It Up:
Let things chill for a few minutes after baking. To dish out, lift and flip each piece so the caramel side is on top. Maybe add berries or sprinkle on powdered sugar for a fancy finish. You'll love the crispy and creamy combo.
Bake It Up:
Take the casserole out to warm up for about fifteen minutes as you set your oven to three-fifty (F). Pop it on the center rack, no cover, and let it bake thirty-five to forty minutes. The top should be golden and caramelized, edges crisp, and center just barely set.
Soak That Bread:
Pour the custard mixture all over the bread, taking care to drench every piece. Give it a gentle press so the custard gets in. Cover it up and stash in the fridge at least four hours, but honestly, overnight is best.
Slice and Lay Out:
Cut your loaf into thick slices and snuggle them onto the caramel layer (slight overlap is just fine). You want each one sitting tight to soak the good stuff.
Get That Caramel Going:
Fire up a small pot over medium, add butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup. Stir now and then as it melts and thickens, about three to four minutes. You want it smooth with no bits of sugar. Pour into a nine by thirteen pan, smoothing it to every corner fast before it sets.
A slice of Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole. Pin it
A slice of Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole. | recipesaddicts.com

The scent of vanilla here always brings me straight back to watching my grandma peer into the oven, waiting for baked custards. She always hoped she’d sneak a bite before anyone else. I add a little more vanilla every time, just for those memories.

Keeping It Fresh

If you've got leftover casserole, cover it tightly and stick it in the fridge up to three days. Warm slices in a gentle oven so the caramel turns gooey again and your bread stays pillowy. Freezing? Wrap portions tight. Reheat straight from the freezer—just know the caramel may not stay as crisp.

Swaps and Twists

Switch to brioche or challah for extra buttery flavor. Gluten-free bread is great for those who need it. Fancy more spice? Try nutmeg, cardamom, or toss in some orange zest. For a grown-up flair, splash a bit of your favorite liqueur right into the custard mix.

Ways to Serve

Spoon on fresh blueberries or raspberries for tang. Top with whipped cream or Greek yogurt to balance the sweetness. Want crunch? Add toasted pecans or shower on coarse sugar in the last ten minutes of baking.

A plate of Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole. Pin it
A plate of Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole. | recipesaddicts.com

Story Behind the Dish

Pain perdu—French toast’s other name—reaches back to old Rome, then got big in France as a thrifty way to use old bread. The sugar crust from classic crème brûlée pushes this breakfast into dessert territory. Pairing both traditions here makes for something new and cozy but feels timeless too.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of bread works best here?

Sure, French bread works, but using challah or brioche ups the rich buttery flavor. Make sure your slices are thick so they soak in all the good stuff.

→ Can I make this ahead?

Yep, it’s super simple! Get it all set up the night before—let the bread soak overnight, then pop it in the oven in the morning.

→ How do I get that crisp, sweet topping?

Try scattering coarse sugar over the top for the last 10 minutes in the oven, or grab a kitchen torch when it’s baked if you like that extra crunchy caramel bite.

→ Got any flavor twists?

Shake things up with nutmeg, ginger, or allspice. A splash of maple or some fruit layers—think fresh berries, apples, or pears—are always a win.

→ Is this gluten-free friendly?

For sure! Swap in a solid gluten-free loaf that’s thick enough to hold up while soaking and baking.

Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole

Fluffy French toast with a crisp caramel crunch—great for chill mornings or fancy brunch plans.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
40 Minutes
Total Time
55 Minutes
By: Sarah

Category: Baking & Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 8 Servings (1 medium casserole (feeds 6 to 8))

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Caramel Base

01 30 millilitres corn syrup
02 200 grams brown sugar, packed
03 115 grams unsalted butter

→ Custard

04 5 millilitres ground cinnamon (optional)
05 1.25 millilitres salt
06 15 millilitres vanilla extract
07 360 millilitres whole milk
08 5 large eggs

→ Assembly

09 1 loaf French bread, sliced into 2.5 centimetre pieces

Instructions

Step 01

Let it rest a bit so it's warm but not super hot. Flip those pieces so the gooey bottom lands on top. Dish it out while still toasty. Try it with some fruit or a little powdered sugar if you want.

Step 02

Heat your oven to 175°C. Pull your dish from the fridge and give it 15 minutes on the counter so it bakes evenly. Pop it in, uncovered, for around 35 to 40 minutes. You’re looking for a golden top, crispy edges, and a custardy center.

Step 03

Wrap up the whole thing tight with some plastic and stick it in the fridge. Four hours is the minimum, but overnight is even better so the bread really soaks up that custard.

Step 04

Grab a medium bowl and whisk eggs, milk, a splash of vanilla, a bit of salt, and cinnamon together so it’s nice and frothy. Pour every bit over the bread. Press the bread down gently to help it soak up the custard.

Step 05

Cut your loaf into thick slices. Set them on top of the caramel layer, making sure they fit snug. Overlap them if you need to cover the bottom.

Step 06

Put butter, brown sugar, and corn syrup into a small pan on medium. Give it a stir here and there. Once it gets bubbly and smooth, pour the hot caramel straight into the bottom of a 23 x 33 centimetre baking dish. Spread it out evenly.

Notes

  1. Want it richer and sweeter? Go with challah or brioche instead of French bread.
  2. Throw in a dash of nutmeg, ginger, or allspice if you like those warm, cozy flavors.
  3. Feel free to tuck in fresh fruit like berries or apples sautéed in butter between bread layers before chilling—it adds a pop of sweetness and texture.
  4. If you love crunchy tops, scatter some coarse sugar on in the last 10 minutes of baking. You could also use a blowtorch at the end for a caramel finish.
  5. Going gluten free? Swap in sturdy gluten-free bread cut into thick slices and you're good.

Tools You'll Need

  • Small saucepan
  • 23 x 33 centimetre baking dish
  • Mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Plastic wrap
  • Oven

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Has eggs, milk, and wheat (so it's not gluten free).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 370
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 52 g
  • Protein: 8 g