Description
Parisian-style French toast elevates breakfast with luxurious crème brûlée flavors and rich custard notes. Caramelized sugar crust and creamy layers promise a sensational morning indulgence that delights breakfast enthusiasts and dessert lovers alike.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 loaf French bread, sliced 1-inch thick
- 5 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) half-and-half
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- ¼ cup (57 grams) unsalted butter
Sweeteners and Spices:
- ⅔ cup (133 grams) granulated sugar
- Extra granulated sugar for topping
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Serving:
- Maple syrup
Instructions
- Lavishly coat a 9×13-inch (23×33 centimeters) baking vessel with butter, creating a non-stick foundation for the culinary creation.
- Methodically arrange sliced French bread in a uniform layer, ensuring complete coverage of the dish’s bottom surface.
- Craft a luxurious custard base by whisking together whole eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, pure vanilla extract, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and freshly grated nutmeg until the mixture achieves a silky, homogeneous consistency.
- Gently cascade the custard mixture over the bread slices, meticulously ensuring each piece becomes thoroughly saturated with the aromatic liquid.
- Seal the baking dish with plastic wrap and allow the bread to luxuriate in the custard overnight within the refrigerator, enabling maximum flavor absorption.
- Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal baking environment for the toast.
- Uncover the marinated bread and strategically dot the surface with small butter fragments, then generously dust with an additional layer of granulated sugar.
- Transfer the dish to the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, monitoring until the toast transforms into a golden, puffy masterpiece with crisp edges.
- Once baked, permit the dish to cool momentarily, then sprinkle an extra layer of granulated sugar across the surface.
- Position the baking dish under the broiler for a brief moment, watching intently as the sugar caramelizes into a crackling, amber-hued crust reminiscent of classic crème brûlée.
Notes
- Overnight Soaking Technique ensures deep flavor infusion and perfectly textured French toast with maximum taste absorption.
- Butter-Layered Preparation creates a rich, golden base that prevents sticking and adds incredible depth to each bite.
- Broiler Caramelization mimics classic crème brûlée’s signature crispy sugar topping, transforming ordinary French toast into an extraordinary dessert-like breakfast experience.
- Make-Ahead Friendly dish can be prepared the night before, making morning meal preparation stress-free and convenient for busy households.
- Temperature Precision matters – baking at 350°F ensures even cooking and prevents soggy or dried-out texture while achieving a perfectly golden exterior.
- Spice Balance of cinnamon and nutmeg elevates the traditional French toast flavor, adding warmth and complexity to the classic breakfast dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 365 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg