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Two slices Crème Brûlée French Toast on a plate with raspberries, strawberries, and whipped cream.
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Crème Brûlée French Toast

A recipe for Crème Brûlée French Toast! Thick slices of bread are soaked in a creamy custard, pan-fried, then coated with a thin layer of caramelized sugar.
Course Breakfast
Cuisine N/A
Keyword bread, breakfast, brunch, cream, creme brulee, egg, french toast
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4 -6 Slices

Ingredients

  • 3 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) milk
  • 2 tablespoons (25 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon (14 grams) unsalted butter plus more as needed
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil plus more as needed
  • 4-6 slices Challah or Brioche 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) thick

Crème Brûlée Topping:

  • 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated sugar

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla bean paste, cinnamon, and salt until completely blended.
  • In a skillet, melt the butter and oil over medium low heat.
  • Soak a bread slice in the egg mixture for about 30 seconds to one minute per side.
  • Place the soaked bread in the heated skillet and cook until golden, about 2 minutes.
  • Flip and cook the other side for another 1-2 minutes, until golden. Try not to let the bread get too dark at this point. They will cook further with the sugar.
  • Set aside to a plate and repeat with remaining bread slices, adding more butter and oil as needed to keep a thin layer in the skillet.
  • Cover the top side of a cooked French Toast slice with about 1 tablespoon (12 grams) of granulated sugar in an even layer.
  • Add more butter and oil to the skillet if needed to create a thin layer and place the bread back to the pan, sugar side down.
  • Cook just until the sugar has melted and created a thin, caramelized layer. This should take 1-3 minutes. Lift the side occasionally to check the color and make sure the sugar doesn't burn.
  • Repeat with the remaining bread slices. Another option is to lightly torch the sugared top of each slice until caramelized or place the slices on a rimmed baking sheet under a broiler set to low.
  • Serve the Crème Brûlée French Toast warm with desired accompaniments such as fresh berries, whipped cream, maple syrup, and/or a dusting of powdered sugar.