Crème Brûlée French Toast is a dreamy twist on two classic favorites rolled into one. Imagine the rich, custardy texture of crème brûlée combined with the comforting, fluffy softness of French toast, topped with that perfectly caramelized, crackly sugar crust. It’s like breakfast and dessert had a delicious baby!
I love making this for a special weekend brunch because it feels fancy but is really simple to pull off. Toast soaking in a vanilla-egg custard, then cooked until golden and finished off with a quick torching of sugar right before serving—there’s just something so satisfying about cracking through that caramelized topping.
When I serve this, I like to add fresh berries or a drizzle of warm maple syrup to bring a little brightness. It always gets everyone talking because it’s both familiar and a little surprising. If you’ve ever thought about why you love French toast and crème brûlée separately, this is your answer rolled together on one plate!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
- Brioche or thick
- cut bread: Brioche is my favorite for this recipe because it soaks up the custard well but stays soft and fluffy. If you can’t find brioche, challah or Texas toast works great too.
- Cream cheese
- Adding cream cheese inside creates a creamy, rich layer that mimics the custard feel. You could use mascarpone or ricotta as a substitute for a milder flavor.
- Vanilla bean paste or seeds
- This really amps up the vanilla flavor and gives a touch of luxury. If you don’t have these, pure vanilla extract works just fine.
- Granulated sugar & torching sugar
- Granulated sugar is key for caramelizing the top. If you don’t have a kitchen torch, broiling works but watch carefully to avoid burning.
How Do You Get That Perfect Caramelized Sugar Crust?
The signature crunchy brûlée top is what sets this French toast apart, but it needs a careful approach.
- After cooking, sprinkle an even layer of granulated sugar on top while the toast is still warm.
- Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar—move in small circles to avoid burning any spot.
- If you don’t have a torch, place the toast under a hot broiler for 1-2 minutes. Watch closely because it can burn fast.
- The sugar should melt, bubble, and harden into a crisp layer that cracks when you dig in.
- Serve immediately to keep the crust crisp and avoid sogginess.
Taking your time with this step ensures that beautiful crackly crust that makes each bite both creamy and crisp. It’s absolutely worth the extra care!
Equipment You’ll Need
- Large shallow dish – perfect for soaking the bread evenly in custard.
- Nonstick skillet or griddle – helps cook the French toast evenly without sticking.
- Kitchen torch – ideal for caramelizing the sugar topping to get that crisp brûlée crust.
- Spatula – makes flipping the toast easy and keeps it intact.
- Baking sheet – handy for placing the toast before torching or broiling.
Flavor Variations & Add-Ins
- Swap cream cheese for mascarpone for a lighter, slightly tangy filling that melts beautifully.
- Add citrus zest (like orange or lemon) to the custard for a fresh, bright note that cuts through the richness.
- Mix in cinnamon or nutmeg to the egg mixture to warm up the flavor profile.
- Top with toasted almonds or pecans after torching for a crunchy texture contrast.
How to Make Crème Brûlée French Toast?
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Bread & Custard:
- 8 slices brioche or thick-cut white bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup whole milk
- ½ cup granulated sugar (plus extra for topping)
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or seeds from 1 vanilla bean (optional)
- Pinch of salt
For the Filling & Cooking:
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
For Finishing Touches:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Maple syrup, for serving
- Fresh berries (blackberries, strawberries), for garnish
- Fresh thyme sprigs (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes of preparation time, 10 minutes of cooking, plus a few minutes for torching the sugar topping. So in total, you’ll spend about 30 minutes from start to delicious finish.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Custard Mixture:
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste (if using), and a pinch of salt until everything is smooth and well blended.
2. Make the Sandwiches:
Spread about 1 tablespoon of softened cream cheese on one side of 4 slices of bread. Top each with another slice to make a sandwich.
3. Soak the Bread:
Pour the custard into a wide, shallow dish. Dip each cream cheese sandwich into the custard for 20-30 seconds per side, allowing it to soak in well but not too soggy.
4. Cook the French Toast:
Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and melt the butter. Cook each soaked sandwich for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and slightly crisp.
5. Caramelize the Sugar Topping:
Place the cooked sandwiches on a baking sheet. Sprinkle a generous layer of granulated sugar evenly on top. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a hard, crackly crust. If you don’t have a torch, broil the sandwiches for 1-2 minutes, watching very closely.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Plate your Crème Brûlée French Toast, dust lightly with powdered sugar, drizzle with maple syrup, and garnish with fresh berries and thyme if you like. Serve right away while the brûlée crust is crisp.
Can I Use Frozen Bread for This Recipe?
Yes, you can! Just make sure to thaw the bread completely before using. Thaw it overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours. This helps the bread soak up the custard evenly without becoming too soggy.
What If I Don’t Have a Kitchen Torch?
No worries! You can use your oven’s broiler instead. After cooking the French toast, sprinkle granulated sugar on top and place it under a hot broiler for 1-2 minutes. Keep a close eye to avoid burning, and remove once the sugar has melted and caramelized.
Can I Make This Ahead of Time?
You can prepare the custard and assemble the sandwiches the night before, storing them tightly covered in the fridge overnight. Cook and caramelize the French toast fresh in the morning for the best texture and flavor.
How Should I Store Leftovers?
Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. To reheat, warm gently in a skillet over low heat or in the oven to help keep the custardy inside soft and warm without losing the crisp sugar topping.