If you’re ready to wow your breakfast guests or treat yourself to a luxurious morning, the Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe is exactly what you need. Imagine fluffy slices of brioche dipped in a rich custard, cooked to golden perfection, and topped with a crisp, caramelized sugar crust that melts your heart with each bite. This recipe is a divine marriage of two classic desserts, turning ordinary French toast into something unforgettable and perfect for any special occasion or an indulgent weekend brunch.
Ingredients You’ll Need
With just a handful of simple yet carefully chosen ingredients, you’ll create a dish bursting with flavor, texture, and a beautiful golden color that invites you to dig right in. Each component is essential to building layers of taste — from the creamy custard soak to the perfectly caramelized topping.
- Heavy whipping cream: Both for the creme anglaise and the French toast soak, it adds rich creaminess that’s essential.
- Egg yolks: The backbone of the custard, giving the dish a silky texture and vibrant color.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and creates the signature brûlée crust when caramelized.
- Vanilla extract or paste: Infuses a warm, fragrant aroma that enhances every bite.
- Brioche bread: Thick slices offer a tender, buttery base that soaks up the custard beautifully.
- Butter: For cooking the French toast, adding flavor and crisp edges.
- Milk: Combined with cream to balance the richness in the custard soak.
- Salt: Just a dash to bring out all the flavors perfectly.
How to Make Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Creme Anglaise Sauce
Start by gently heating the heavy whipping cream with a dash of salt until it just begins to steam — never boiling as that could curdle your custard. Whisk your egg yolks with granulated sugar until the mixture is pale and velvety, then slowly drizzle the warm cream into the yolks while whisking continuously. Return this mixture to the pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon. Finish off by stirring in the vanilla and set this luscious crème anglaise aside to cool as you work on your French toast.
Step 2: Soak the Brioche Bread
Whisk together egg yolks, heavy cream, milk, and vanilla in a shallow dish. Briefly dip each slice of thick-cut brioche into this custard mixture, allowing it to soak just enough to absorb flavor without becoming soggy. This step is key to ensuring your French toast is simultaneously rich and fluffy without falling apart.
Step 3: Cook the French Toast
Heat a griddle or skillet over medium heat and melt a tablespoon of butter. Carefully place your soaked brioche slices onto the hot surface, giving them space to brown evenly. Cook for just a couple of minutes on each side until golden brown perfection is reached. This creates a crispy exterior that contrasts beautifully with the tender inside.
Step 4: Create the Brûlée Topping
Sprinkle a thin, even layer of granulated sugar across the top of each warm French toast slice. Use a hand torch to caramelize the sugar until it bubbles and turns a gorgeous amber shade — that signature brûlée crunch is what makes this recipe absolutely unforgettable. No torch? No problem! We’ll share some handy alternatives later.
Step 5: Serve with Creme Anglaise
Pour the warm crème anglaise gently over the finished French toast, letting the silky sauce mingle with the crisp topping. This final touch elevates your breakfast into a decadent experience that’s both indulgent and cozy.
How to Serve Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe
Garnishes
Add fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries on top to provide a pop of color and a bright contrast to the rich custard and caramelized sugar. A dusting of powdered sugar or a sprig of fresh mint also adds a lovely visual and flavor lift that complements the dish perfectly.
Side Dishes
This Crème Brûlée French Toast pairs wonderfully with crispy bacon or breakfast sausage for a savory balance to the sweet richness. A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette also works well if you want to keep things fresh and light alongside your indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For a brunch party, serve the French toast on a large platter with individual ramekins of creme anglaise and torched sugar sprinkled right before serving. For a fun twist, layer slices with dollops of whipped cream and fresh fruit, almost like a breakfast trifle. Presentation can turn this simple delight into a show-stopping centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (though it’s rare!), you can store them wrapped tightly in the refrigerator for up to two days. Keep the crème anglaise separate in an airtight container to maintain its silky texture and freshness.
Freezing
Freezing French toast is a great option — place cooled slices in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, and then transfer to freezer bags for up to one month. The crème anglaise doesn’t freeze well, so hold off on that until you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
To reheat, toast the French toast slices in a toaster oven or under the broiler for a few minutes to revive their crispness before adding freshly warmed crème anglaise. Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread soggy.
FAQs
Can I use bread other than brioche for this Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe?
Absolutely! While brioche offers the perfect balance of richness and softness, challah or thick-cut white bread can also work well. Just make sure the slices are sturdy enough to hold the custard soak without falling apart.
What if I don’t have a kitchen torch for caramelizing the sugar?
No worries! You can place the sugared French toast under a hot broiler for 1-2 minutes, keeping a close eye to prevent burning. Alternatively, a small, hot pan flipped upside down and held over the sugar also works in a pinch.
Is the creme anglaise sauce necessary or can I skip it?
The crème anglaise elevates the French toast experience and adds extra richness and flavor. However, if you prefer a simpler version, the French toast alone with the brûlée topping is still delicious, just slightly less luxurious.
How long does this Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe take from start to finish?
From prep to plating, it typically takes around 15 minutes, with 10 minutes to prepare your custards and 5 minutes to cook the French toast. It’s impressively quick considering the decadent flavors!
Can I make the crème anglaise sauce ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the sauce a day ahead and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Just gently rewarm it before serving if it becomes too thick or cool.
Final Thoughts
This Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe is one of those rare breakfasts that feels both indulgent and totally doable at home. With its creamy custard layers and that irresistible brûlée crust, it’s guaranteed to become a favorite for special mornings, brunch parties, or whenever you’re craving something truly spectacular. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll be making it again and again — there’s just no resisting this sweet, fluffy, caramelized perfection!
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Crème Brûlée French Toast (Marry Me French Toast) Recipe
This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe elevates classic French toast to a decadent breakfast treat with fluffy slices of brioche topped with a sweet, caramelized crème brûlée layer. The rich creme anglaise sauce adds a luxurious touch, making this dish an unforgettable morning indulgence perfect for special occasions or leisurely weekends.
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
Ingredients
Creme Anglaise Sauce
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 dash salt
- 3 large egg yolks
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
French Toast
- 4 egg yolks
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract or vanilla paste
- 1 (16-ounce) loaf of brioche bread, preferably thick sliced
- 3 tablespoons butter, for griddle
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar, for brûlée topping
Instructions
- Prepare Creme Anglaise Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine ¾ cup heavy whipping cream and a dash of salt. Heat gently until steaming but do not boil. Meanwhile, whisk together 3 large egg yolks and ¼ cup granulated sugar in a bowl until pale and thick, about 2-3 minutes by hand or 30 seconds with a hand mixer.
- Temper the Eggs: Slowly drizzle the hot cream mixture into the egg yolks while whisking constantly to prevent curdling. Pour the combined mixture back into the saucepan.
- Cook the Sauce: Cook over medium heat, whisking continuously, until the sauce thickens enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and set aside.
- Preheat Griddle: Heat a griddle or large skillet to medium heat.
- Make French Toast Batter: In a bowl or shallow dish, whisk together 4 egg yolks, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
- Soak Brioche: Briefly soak both sides of each thick slice of brioche in the egg mixture, ensuring they are well coated but not saturated.
- Cook French Toast: Add 1 tablespoon butter to the griddle. Place soaked brioche slices on the hot griddle and cook for about 2 minutes per side, flipping once, until golden brown and cooked through. Add more butter as needed for remaining slices.
- Brûlée the Top: Sprinkle a thin, even layer of ⅓ cup granulated sugar onto the top of each cooked toast slice. Use a hand torch to caramelize the sugar until it is golden and bubbly. If you don’t have a torch, place the sugar-topped slices under a hot broiler briefly watching carefully to caramelize without burning.
- Serve: Serve the brûléed French toast immediately with warm creme anglaise sauce poured over the top for a luxurious breakfast experience.
Notes
- Do not let the cream boil when preparing the creme anglaise to avoid curdling.
- Whisk egg yolks and sugar until pale and thick for a smooth custard texture.
- When soaking the brioche, do not oversaturate to prevent sogginess.
- Use a hand torch for perfect brûlée topping; carefully watch if using the oven broiler to prevent burning.
- Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between creamy custard and crisp caramelized sugar.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
