Crème Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is the decadent breakfast or dessert that dreams are made of! A rich and creamy vanilla custard base, topped with caramelized bread cubes that form a buttery, crispy crust, all drizzled with warm salted caramel. This recipe is the perfect blend of sweet and salty with a rich custard texture that’s irresistibly delicious. Ideal for family brunches, special occasions, or when you just need something indulgent, it’s worth every calorie!

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

For the Custard

• 8 egg yolks

• 67 g (⅓ cup) sugar

• 1 vanilla pod (or 1.5 tsp vanilla extract)

• 2 cups whole milk

• 2 cups heavy cream (min. 35% fat)

• 30 g (4 tbsp) cornstarch

For the Caramelized Toast

• 4 slices (1-inch thick) bread (such as Hokkaido Milk Bread, brioche, or white toast)

• 113.4 g (8 tbsp) room-temperature butter

• 75 g (6 tbsp) sugar

For the Salted Caramel

• 200 g (1 cup) sugar

• ½ cup cream (warmed)

• 42.5 g (3 tbsp) cubed butter

• ½ tsp flaky sea salt (or to taste)

Directions

1. Make the Custard:

   • Split the vanilla pod and scrape the seeds. Combine the milk, cream, and vanilla pod with the seeds in a saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes.

   • In a small bowl, mix the sugar and cornstarch.

   • In a medium bowl, whisk the egg yolks and add the sugar-cornstarch mixture. If using vanilla extract instead of a pod, add it now.

   • Gradually add the hot milk mixture to the egg mixture, tempering the eggs by whisking constantly.

   • Strain the mixture back into the saucepan and cook on medium-low, whisking constantly until the custard thickens to a pudding consistency (about 5-6 minutes).

   • Remove from heat and cool slightly. Cover with cling film pressed directly on top to prevent a skin from forming. Chill in the fridge.

2. Caramelize the Bread:

   • Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F).

   • Mix butter and sugar in a small bowl and spread this mixture on both sides of each bread slice.

   • Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry each slice of bread for 2-3 minutes per side, until caramelized and golden.

   • Allow the bread to cool slightly and then cut it into 1-inch cubes.

3. Prepare the Salted Caramel:

   • Heat sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, swirling the pan (do not stir) until it melts and turns amber.

   • Carefully add the warmed cream, whisking continuously.

   • Add the cubed butter one piece at a time, ensuring it melts fully before adding the next.

   • Stir in the sea salt to taste and set aside to cool slightly.

4. Assemble the French Toast:

   • Whisk the chilled custard to smooth it out.

   • In a 25cm round ovenproof pan, pour the custard into the bottom and spread evenly.

   • Arrange the caramelized bread cubes on top, gently pressing them into the custard.

   • Place in the oven for 10 minutes to heat through.

   • Drizzle with the warm salted caramel sauce and optionally dust with powdered sugar before serving.

Nutrients (approximate per serving, serves 6)

• Calories: 485

• Carbohydrates: 65 g

• Protein: 6 g

• Fat: 24 g

• Saturated Fat: 14 g

• Cholesterol: 248 mg

• Sodium: 150 mg

• Sugar: 50 g

The Secret Behind the Custard Base

At the heart of Crème Brûlée French Toast is the rich custard base. This custard is what gives the dish its luxurious, smooth texture and indulgent flavor. To create the custard, egg yolks, sugar, and cornstarch are mixed together, and then hot milk and cream, infused with a vanilla pod or vanilla extract, are gradually added to temper the eggs.

The key to the custard’s silky consistency is ensuring that the mixture is heated gently over medium-low heat, allowing it to thicken into a pudding-like consistency without curdling. The tempering process, where the hot milk is slowly incorporated into the egg mixture while whisking constantly, is crucial to avoid scrambling the eggs. Once thickened, the custard is strained and chilled, allowing the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up. This custard base is the foundation of the crème brûlée French toast, and it’s this creamy custard that makes each bite so satisfying.

Choosing the Right Bread for the French Toast

The bread choice for crème brûlée French toast is just as important as the custard. For the best results, select a bread that is rich, slightly sweet, and able to soak up the custard without falling apart. Hokkaido Milk Bread, brioche, or even thick white toast are all excellent options. These types of bread have a soft, tender crumb and a slight sweetness that complements the custard perfectly.

To create the caramelized texture that adds an extra layer of flavor and texture to the dish, the bread is first buttered and sugared before being fried in a hot skillet. This caramelization process turns the outside of the bread into a golden, crispy crust while the inside remains soft and custardy, resulting in the ideal contrast of textures. After the bread is fried and slightly cooled, it is cut into 1-inch cubes, which are then arranged on top of the custard before baking. This step creates the satisfying crispness that balances out the creaminess of the custard.

The Art of Caramelizing the Bread

Caramelizing the bread before baking is an essential step in making crème brûlée French toast. The sugar and butter mixture applied to the bread adds a rich, golden glaze to each slice, and when fried, the bread forms a crisp, caramelized exterior that contrasts beautifully with the creamy custard base.

To achieve the perfect caramelized bread, begin by melting butter and mixing it with sugar. Spread this mixture generously on both sides of the bread slices before frying them in a non-stick skillet. Heat the skillet over medium-high heat and fry the bread for 2-3 minutes per side, ensuring it becomes golden and crispy. This process not only enhances the flavor but also helps seal the bread, preventing it from becoming too soggy when baked with the custard. Once the bread is caramelized and slightly cooled, cut it into cubes, which will later soak up the custard and crisp up during baking.

Making the Salted Caramel Sauce

The salted caramel sauce is what elevates this dish from delicious to extraordinary. The combination of the sweet caramelized sugar with the richness of butter and the touch of flaky sea salt creates a sauce that is both luxurious and balanced.

Making the salted caramel begins by melting the sugar over medium heat until it turns amber in color. This requires a bit of patience, as you must resist the urge to stir the sugar; instead, gently swirl the pan to help it melt evenly. Once the sugar is melted, carefully add the warmed cream and whisk continuously to create a smooth sauce. Then, add the cubed butter one piece at a time, allowing each piece to melt fully before adding the next. Finally, stir in the sea salt to taste, creating that perfect balance between sweet and salty. Once the sauce is made, it’s set aside to cool slightly before being drizzled over the baked French toast.

Assembling the Crème Brûlée French Toast

To assemble the crème brûlée French toast, start by whisking the chilled custard to smooth it out, as it may thicken further during refrigeration. Then, pour the custard into an ovenproof pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom.

Next, arrange the caramelized bread cubes on top of the custard, gently pressing them into the custard so they soak up some of the liquid. The bread will expand slightly while baking, but the custard will still provide that luscious texture that is the hallmark of crème brûlée. Once assembled, the pan is placed in the oven for 10 minutes to heat through and allow the bread to absorb the custard.

After baking, drizzle the warm salted caramel sauce generously over the French toast, allowing it to soak into the bread and melt into the custard. For an extra touch of elegance, dust the dish with powdered sugar before serving.

Tips for Perfect Crème Brûlée French Toast

1. Use the right bread: Choose a rich, slightly sweet bread like Hokkaido Milk Bread, brioche, or thick white toast for the best texture and flavor. The bread should be able to soak up the custard without falling apart during baking.

2. Be patient with the caramel: When making the caramel sauce, avoid stirring the sugar while it melts to prevent crystallization. Swirl the pan gently instead.

3. Chill the custard thoroughly: After making the custard, be sure to chill it in the fridge before assembling the French toast. This helps it firm up and ensures a smoother texture when baked.

4. Don’t skip the salted caramel sauce: The salted caramel sauce is a crucial part of the dish, providing a rich, sweet-salty flavor that complements the custard and bread perfectly.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Crème Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is perfect on its own, but you can also serve it with a variety of toppings to enhance the experience. A dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of powdered sugar, or fresh berries can add color and freshness to the dish. For an extra decadent touch, serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.

If you want to try a variation of this dish, you can experiment with flavored custards, such as adding cinnamon or nutmeg for a spiced twist, or infusing the custard with orange zest or liqueurs like Grand Marnier.

Conclusion

Crème Brûlée French Toast with Salted Caramel is the ultimate indulgent treat, combining the rich, creamy texture of custard with the crispy, caramelized bread and the perfect balance of sweet and salty from the salted caramel sauce. It’s the perfect dish for special occasions, brunches, or whenever you want to treat yourself to something extraordinary. With its luxurious custard base, caramelized bread, and decadent salted caramel drizzle, this dish is sure to become a favorite for anyone who loves a sweet, indulgent breakfast or dessert. Don’t hesitate to try this recipe—it’s worth every bite!