Wake up to a breakfast that feels like pure indulgence with this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast. Imagine the caramelized crackle of classic crème brûlée paired with soft, custardy bread soaked overnight in rich cream and vanilla. This dish transforms your morning into a celebration, making it perfect for holidays, brunch gatherings, or simply when you want something a little extra special.

The beauty of this recipe is in its make-ahead ease. By preparing it the night before, you let the flavors fully meld while giving yourself a stress-free morning. All that’s left to do is bake it to golden perfection and savor the luscious layers of creamy custard and caramelized topping.

What Kind of Bread Should I Use?

The bread is the backbone of this French toast, and it’s worth choosing wisely. Thick, sturdy bread like brioche or challah works beautifully, as it soaks up the custard without falling apart. Day-old bread is especially ideal because it absorbs more of the cream mixture, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful without turning mushy.

Ingredients for the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Brioche or Challah Bread – Adds buttery richness and structure.
Heavy Cream & Whole Milk – Create the custard base, making the dish velvety and indulgent.
Eggs – Bind the custard together and provide richness.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar – For sweetness and that signature caramelized layer.
Vanilla Extract – Enhances the custard with warm, sweet flavor.
Butter – Helps create the caramelized topping and keeps the bread tender.
Salt – Balances out the sweetness.
Optional Flavorings (like orange zest, cinnamon, or a splash of liqueur) – To give the dish a unique twist.

How To Make the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Step 1: Prepare the Caramel Base

Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and stir in brown sugar until it forms a smooth caramel-like mixture. Pour this into the bottom of a greased baking dish, spreading evenly to coat. This will create the luscious crème brûlée-style base once baked.

Step 2: Slice and Arrange the Bread

Cut your brioche or challah bread into thick slices, about 1 to 1.5 inches. Arrange them in a slightly overlapping pattern over the caramel layer in the baking dish. This helps the custard soak through every slice.

Step 3: Make the Custard

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, heavy cream, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat until smooth and well combined. Pour the custard evenly over the bread, making sure every slice is saturated.

Step 4: Chill Overnight

Cover the dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. This slow soak allows the custard to fully absorb, creating that signature creamy texture.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the dish from the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes, then bake uncovered for 40–50 minutes, until golden brown and slightly puffed.

Step 6: Add the Crème Brûlée Finish

For an authentic brûlée touch, sprinkle granulated sugar over the top after baking and caramelize it using a kitchen torch (or briefly under the broiler). This creates that irresistible crackly sugar crust.

Step 7: Serve Warm

Let the French toast cool slightly before serving. Slice generously and enjoy the mix of creamy custard, caramel base, and brûléed topping in every bite.

Serving and Storing Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

This dish is best served fresh from the oven when the custard is still warm and the caramel topping is perfectly gooey. A dusting of powdered sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup makes it even more decadent. Leftovers can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm gently in the oven at 300°F (150°C) until heated through—this keeps the caramel from becoming too sticky.

What to Serve With Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast?

Fresh Berries

A handful of raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries adds a burst of freshness that balances the richness.

Crispy Bacon or Sausage Links

The salty crunch of bacon or sausage pairs beautifully with the sweet custard.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

A lighter option to contrast the decadence, layered with granola and fruit.

Freshly Brewed Coffee

The bitterness of coffee enhances the caramelized sugar notes.

Mimosa or Sparkling Juice

Perfect for brunch gatherings, adding a festive sparkle.

Roasted Potatoes

Savory and crispy, they make a hearty companion to the sweetness.

Vanilla Ice Cream

If serving as dessert, a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream makes it unforgettable.

Want More French Toast Ideas?

If you love this Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast, you’ll definitely enjoy exploring other creative twists on breakfast classics:

Nutella French Toast Casserole for a chocolate-hazelnut dream.
Cinnamon Roll French Toast Bites if you love bite-sized sweetness.
Hawaiian Roll French Toast for a fluffy, tropical-inspired treat.
French Toast Casserole with Croissants when you want a buttery, flaky upgrade.

Each of these recipes offers a new way to enjoy the comforting flavors of French toast.

Save This Pin For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest breakfast board so you can come back to it whenever the craving hits.

And don’t forget to share your twist in the comments! Did you add orange zest, a splash of rum, or maybe top it with berries? I love seeing how everyone makes this recipe their own.

Explore beautifully curated breakfast and dessert inspirations on ChefAlchemy Recipes on Pinterest and discover your next go-to dish!