Brûléed Cream French Toast
Indulge in warm brioche soaked in a luscious custard and topped with a crispy caramelized sugar coating, making for a perfect breakfast treat.
Ingredients
For the French Toast
- 1 loaf brioche bread Can be substituted with challah or gluten-free bread.
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup heavy cream Higher fat content ensures a rich custard.
- 1 cup milk Substitute with almond milk for a dairy-free option.
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon Can add nutmeg or cardamom for extra flavor.
- 0.25 teaspoon salt
- sugar for caramelizing
For Serving
- fresh berries Optional, for garnishing.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a sizable baking dish.
- Cut the brioche into thick slices and arrange them in the greased baking dish.
- In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, heavy cream, milk, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Pour the custard mixture over the brioche slices, ensuring each slice is fully soaked, and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes.
Baking
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes until gently set and golden on top.
- Remove from the oven and sprinkle sugar over the top.
- Use a kitchen torch to caramelize the sugar until it turns golden brown.
Serving
- Allow a moment for the caramelized sugar to rest before serving.
- Serve warm with optional fresh berries.
Notes
For the best flavor and texture, serve immediately after preparing. If stored, reheat briefly under the broiler to regain its crispiness.