Description
Thick slices of brioche or challah bread soaked in rich custard, baked to perfection, and topped with a caramelized sugar crust.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (12–14 slices)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
- ½ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg)
- A pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche or challah into thick 1-inch slices and arrange them snugly in a greased baking dish.
- Make the Custard: In a large bowl, combine eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Whisk until smooth.
- Combine: Pour the custard over the arranged bread slices, pressing down gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
- Preheat & Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake for 25-30 minutes until tops are golden brown.
- Caramelize: Sprinkle sugar over the top and use a kitchen torch to caramelize into a crispy crust.
- Serve: Allow to cool slightly before slicing and garnish with fresh berries and powdered sugar.
Notes
Use day-old bread for better custard absorption. Experiment with milk types for variations.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 210mg
Keywords: French toast, crème brûlée, breakfast, brunch, indulgent dessert