Description
This Crème Brûlée French Toast is a luxurious twist on classic French toast — rich custard-soaked bread finished with a crackly caramelized sugar topping for a dessert-like breakfast treat.
Ingredients
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Thick slices of brioche, challah, or your preferred bread
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4 large eggs + 2 egg yolks
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240 ml (1 cup) whole milk
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120 ml (½ cup) heavy cream
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½ cup packed brown sugar
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pinch of salt
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Granulated sugar (for caramelizing on top)
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Butter (for cooking)
Instructions
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Prepare the Custard Soak
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In a bowl, whisk together eggs, egg yolks, milk, cream, brown sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
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Pour this mixture into a shallow dish.
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Soak the Bread
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Dip each thick slice of bread into the custard, letting it absorb the liquid — about 15–30 seconds per side, depending on how thick your bread is.
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Let the soaked bread rest briefly so excess custard drips off.
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Cook the French Toast
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Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt a bit of butter.
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Cook each soaked bread slice for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and slightly firm.
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Caramelize the Topping
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Sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar on top of each warmed French toast slice.
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Use a kitchen blow torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden crust. (If you don’t have a torch, you can broil briefly in the oven — watch carefully to avoid burning.)
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Serve
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Allow the brûléed sugar to harden for a minute or two, then serve immediately.
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Garnish with berries, whipped cream, or a drizzle of maple syrup, if desired.
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Notes
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Use thick, sturdy bread so it holds up to soaking without falling apart.
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If the custard is too thin, your toast could become soggy — adjust by reducing milk or increasing yolks slightly.
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Be careful when torching sugar — use steady, even passes to caramelize without burning.