This overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole combines traditional French toast with the rich, creamy custard and crispy caramelized top of a crème brûlée dessert. With 15 minutes of prep before it’s ready for the fridge, this decadent breakfast is ideal for the holidays or any Sunday morning gathering.
Crème Brûlée French Toast Casserole
What’s better than waking up with a house full of guests and having a no-fuss breakfast ready to pop in the oven? This overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake was a recipe makeover that one of my readers requested years ago. It takes 15 minutes to prep, and the flavors are just like you’ll find in a classic Crème Brûlée! I was excited to tackle it, and in the years since, it has become a family favorite for the holidays. This French toast casserole is perfect for brunch, Christmas morning, or anytime you need a breakfast casserole to serve a crowd. This Banana Fosters-Topped Overnight French Toast is another go-to.
Why You’ll Love This Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe
The original recipe called for a stick of butter and more half-and-half cream. I lightened it up by removing the butter, replacing the cream with milk, and using a sugar-free sweetener (but feel free to use whatever sugar you prefer). Despite these substitutions, the French toast remains just as rich, flavorful, and delicious.
- Perfect for Meal Prep: This overnight crème brûlée French toast casserole actually tastes better the longer it sits, so it’s excellent for making the night before and popping in the oven the next morning.
- Crowd Worthy: You can easily double this recipe and make two casseroles if you have more guests.
- Dietary Restrictions: It’s vegetarian, gluten-free (if using GF bread), Weight Watchers-friendly, and high-protein.
If you make this crème brûlée French toast recipe, I would love to see it. Tag me in your photos or videos on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s everything you’ll need to make this decadent crème brûlée French toast casserole. Scroll to the recipe card below for the exact measurements.
- Brown Sugar: I substitute brown monk fruit sweetener to reduce calories and added sugar.
- Water: Melt the brown sugar in water to create a simple syrup.
- Challah Bread is a soft, braided bread perfect for French toast and bread pudding.
- Eggs help create a custard-like base.
- Dairy: Half-and-half and 1% milk achieve the perfect balance between creaminess and keeping the calories low.
- Myers’s Rum gives it an extra special touch but is totally optional.
- Flavor: Vanilla extract and cinnamon give the casserole a warm flavor.
- Kosher Salt balances the sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: Top with powdered sugar and cinnamon.
How to Make a Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake
This easy crème brûlée French toast is a great make-ahead breakfast casserole for the holidays. The complete instructions are below in the recipe card.
- Prepare the simple syrup. Melt the brown sugar in water in a small skillet over low heat. Pour half of it into a 9” x 13” baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Add the bread to the pan. Arrange the bread cubes in a single layer in the dish.
- Make the custard. Whisk the eggs, remaining sugar mixture, milk, half-and-half, vanilla, rum, cinnamon, and salt, and pour over the bread.
- Refrigerate overnight. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Bake. Bring the casserole to room temperature as the oven preheats to 350°F. Bake uncovered until puffed and the edges are a pale golden color.
- Serve. Top the casserole with cinnamon and powdered sugar before serving.
Variations
- Bread: Swap challah for a round country loaf, French bread, or brioche.
- Gluten-Free French Toast: Use a gluten-free version of one of the breads mentioned above.
- Milk: Use skim or 2% milk or unsweetened almond milk.
- Toppings: The casserole is sweet, so feel free to omit the powdered sugar. You could also top it with fresh berries or sliced bananas and whipped cream.
What to Serve with Crème Brûlée French Toast
When I host brunch, I usually serve savory and sweet dishes to provide many different options. This French toast casserole goes great with Sheet Pan Pancakes, Sausage Breakfast Casserole, or this Healthy Breakfast Casserole with Spinach and Feta. I also like to set out a platter of fresh fruit.
FAQ
If you’re in a rush, you could skip the overnight step, but you’ll have better results by letting the bread sit in the milk for at least 8 hours. Without enough time to fully absorb the liquid, the bread may end up less moist and flavorful.
Storage
- Refrigerate. Store leftovers airtight in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Reheat. Warm the casserole in the microwave or in the oven.
- Freeze. You can freeze this crème brûlée French toast casserole after you bake it and let it cool. Slice it into 6 pieces and wrap them tightly with foil or plastic wrap. Freeze it for up to 3 months. Thaw the casserole in the fridge and microwave until warm.
More Breakfast Casserole Recipes
Crème Brûlée French Toast
Equipment
- 13 x 9-inch baking dish
Ingredients
- 1 cup unpacked brown sugar, (I use brown Monk fruit sugar)
- 1/4 cup water
- cooking spray
- 10 oz Challah bread, cubed
- 7 large eggs
- 1 cup 1% milk
- 1/2 cup half and half
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon Meyers rum, optional
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon powdered sugar, for topping
Instructions
- In a small heavy skillet melt brown sugar and water over low heat, stirring, until smooth and melted, about 1 minute, then pour half into a 13 x 9-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
- Arrange the bread cubes in one layer in baking dish, squeezing them slightly to fit.
- In a large bowl whisk together eggs, remaining sugar mixture, milk, half and half, vanilla, rum if using, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over bread.
- Cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350F and bring the bread to room temperature.
- Bake uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 45 to 55 minutes. Let it rest 5 to 10 minutes.
- Top with cinnamon and powdered sugar.
