Have you ever been torn between the refined elegance of a classic French dessert and the heart-warming comfort of a weekend breakfast? Perhaps you’ve imagined a dish that marries the luxurious smoothness of crème brûlée with the familiar delight of golden French toast. If this sounds like a dream, then you have arrived at the perfect place. We believe breakfast should be a memorable occasion, a moment of pure bliss, and this recipe is the very definition of that ethos.

Here, we are thrilled to share our definitive Gourmet Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe. This is far more than your average French toast; it’s a culinary experience that elevates simple bread into a delightful blend of taste and texture. Picture thick-cut brioche, steeped in a decadent vanilla bean custard, fried to a perfect golden-brown, and finished with a layer of sugar, expertly caramelised to a glassy, crisp perfection. It’s the kind of breakfast that brings a hush to the table, broken only by the delightful crack of a spoon through the caramelised crust. Together, let’s create a truly unforgettable morning.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• A Symphony of Textures: The true beauty of this dish is its wonderful contrast. You experience the signature ‘crack’ of the hard caramel shell, which gives way to the soft, pillowy, and sumptuously rich custard-soaked bread beneath. It is a genuine treat for the senses.
• Deceptively Simple to Make: Although it sounds incredibly sophisticated, we have distilled the process into simple, manageable steps. You don’t need to be an expert pastry chef to recreate this stunning dish in your own home.
• The Perfect Showstopper Brunch: Are you planning a special gathering? This is the ideal recipe to wow your guests for a birthday, anniversary, or a wonderfully lazy Sunday brunch. It presents and tastes as if it has been served at a five-star restaurant.
• Unadulterated Indulgence: This is a true dessert for breakfast. Crafted with double cream, fresh egg yolks, and real vanilla, it’s a rich and deeply satisfying treat that feels extraordinarily special.

Ingredients

• 8 thick slices (about 1.5 inches thick) of day-old brioche or challah bread
• 4 large free-range egg yolks
• 250ml double cream
• 120ml whole milk
• 50g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (or the seeds from half a vanilla pod)
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• A pinch of fine sea salt
• Zest of half an orange (optional, but highly recommended)
• 50g unsalted butter, for frying
• 80g caster sugar, for the caramelised topping
• Fresh berries (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries) for serving
• Icing sugar, for dusting

How to Make the Perfect Crème Brûlée French Toast

Crafting this culinary masterpiece involves three distinct stages: preparing the custard, cooking the French toast, and achieving that signature caramelised crust. We will walk you through each phase to guarantee superb results every single time.

Step 1: Prepare the Rich Custard Base

The foundation of any exceptional French toast is the custard it’s steeped in. For this recipe, we are seeking a consistency akin to a traditional crème brûlée—opulent, creamy, and bursting with flavour. This is the cornerstone of an authentic Custard French toast.

1. In a spacious, shallow dish that is wide enough to accommodate a slice of bread, whisk the egg yolks and granulated sugar together until the mixture lightens in colour and thickens slightly.
2. Gently pour in the double cream and whole milk, continuing to whisk constantly to maintain a smooth, homogenous mixture.
3. Next, stir in the vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, pinch of sea salt, and the optional orange zest. The zest introduces a lovely, subtle citrus note that beautifully balances the richness of the custard.
4. Allow the custard mixture to rest for approximately 10 minutes, giving the flavours time to infuse and deepen.

Step 2: Soak and Pan-Fry the Bread

The goal here is to strike the perfect equilibrium. We want the bread to absorb enough custard to become creamy in the centre, but not so much that it turns soggy and loses its structure. Thickly sliced, day-old bread is essential for this part.

1. Take one slice of bread at a time and place it in the custard. Allow it to soak for around 20-30 seconds on each side. The slice should feel saturated and heavy, but not on the verge of falling apart.
2. As the first slice soaks, set a large, non-stick frying pan over a medium heat and add a generous piece of butter (roughly 1 tablespoon). Let it melt completely until it begins to foam.
3. Carefully lift the soaked bread from the custard, letting any surplus liquid drip away, before placing it into the hot, buttery pan.
4. Fry for 2-4 minutes on each side, or until it develops a rich, golden-brown crust and is thoroughly cooked. Refrain from pressing down on the toast, as this will force out the delicious custard.
5. Move the cooked French toast onto a wire rack placed over a baking tray. Continue this process with the rest of the bread, adding more butter to the pan as required.

Step 3: Create the Signature Caramelised “Brûlée” Crust

This is the final, and most thrilling, stage that elevates our dish from a simple French toast to a truly remarkable creation. A kitchen blow torch is the ideal tool for this, but the grill in your oven works well too.

1. Lay out the cooked French toast slices on a heat-resistant baking tray.
2. Sprinkle a fine, even layer of caster sugar across the top surface of each slice. Ensure it is completely covered; about one tablespoon per slice should suffice.
3. Using a Kitchen Blow Torch (Recommended): Hold the torch several inches away from the sugar and sweep the flame back and forth in a continuous motion. Continue until the sugar has melted, bubbled, and transformed into a gorgeous amber hue. For further guidance, you might find this resource on how to use a kitchen torch helpful.
4. Using the Oven Grill: If you do not own a torch, preheat your oven’s grill to its highest temperature. Position the baking tray on the top shelf, about 4-6 inches from the heating element. Keep a very close eye on it! The sugar will caramelise in just 1-2 minutes. Remove it from the oven the moment it turns golden and bubbly to stop it from burning.
5. Allow the French toast to rest for a minute, which gives the caramel time to cool and harden into that iconic glassy crust.

Tips for a Flawless Gourmet French Toast Experience

To guarantee your brunch is nothing short of spectacular, we have compiled a few expert tips. Adhering to these will help elevate your creation from merely great to truly unforgettable, ensuring a perfect Gourmet French toast.

• Choose Your Bread Wisely: A sturdy, enriched bread such as brioche or challah is non-negotiable. Its high egg and butter content not only complements the rich custard but also helps it maintain its structure during soaking and cooking. Slicing it thickly (about 1.5 inches) is key.
• Day-Old Bread Is Superior: Bread that is slightly stale is drier, meaning it can absorb more custard without turning to mush. If you only have fresh bread, simply leave the slices on a wire rack for a couple of hours to help them dry out.
• Embrace the Richness: Using only egg yolks with double cream yields a far more luxurious and decadent custard compared to using whole eggs and milk. This is a special treat, so we believe it is worth the indulgence!
• Serve Immediately for Best Results: The true magic of the ‘brûlée’ effect is that satisfying crackle. For the ultimate textural experience, serve the French toast the moment the caramel has set.

For those who adore sweet breakfast dishes, you might also find our classic Banana Bread Recipe a delightful way to begin your day. Or, for an even more decadent option, why not give our Fudgy Banana Brownies a try?

FAQ

Conclusion: Your New Favourite Sweet Brunch Recipe

And there you have it—a recipe that beautifully blurs the boundary between breakfast and dessert. This Gourmet Crème Brûlée French Toast is not just food; it is an occasion. The rich, creamy interior, perfectly contrasted by the iconic, crackable caramelised topping, creates an unforgettable dish that is ideal for celebrating life’s precious moments or just for making an ordinary weekend feel exceptional.

We’ve shared all the steps and secrets you need to craft this remarkable sweet brunch recipe in your own kitchen. It offers a wonderful opportunity to slow down, savour the art of cooking, and treat yourself and your loved ones to something truly magnificent. So, why wait? Gather your ingredients this weekend and prepare to discover your new favourite brunch. We would be delighted to see how yours turns out, so feel free to leave a comment below or tag us on social media to share your culinary triumph!

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Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 20 mins
4 Servings

Ingredients

• 8 thick slices (1.5 inches) day-old brioche or challah bread
• 4 large free-range egg yolks
• 250ml double cream
• 120ml whole milk
• 50g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• A pinch of fine sea salt
• Zest of half an orange (optional)
• 50g unsalted butter (for frying)
• 80g caster sugar (for the topping)
• Fresh berries and icing sugar, for serving

Instructions

1. Prepare Custard: In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg yolks and 50g granulated sugar until light and thick. Gradually whisk in the double cream and whole milk, followed by the vanilla, nutmeg, salt, and optional orange zest. Let the mixture rest for 10 minutes.
2. Soak and Cook: Dip each bread slice into the custard for 20-30 seconds per side. Melt a portion of the butter in a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Fry the toast for 2-4 minutes on each side until golden-brown and cooked through. Transfer to a wire rack and repeat with the remaining slices.
3. Caramelise the Top: Arrange the cooked French toast on a heat-resistant baking tray. Sprinkle an even layer of the 80g caster sugar over the top of each slice.
4. Brûlée and Serve: Use a kitchen blow torch to melt and caramelise the sugar until it forms a golden, amber crust. Alternatively, place under a preheated hot oven grill for 1-2 minutes (watch closely to prevent burning). Let it cool for a minute to harden, then serve immediately with fresh berries and a dusting of icing sugar.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 945 kcal, Carbs: 85 g, Protein: 14 g, Fat: 61 g