Crème Brûlée French Toast

Jul 6, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Breakfast Pancakes waffles french toast Vanilla: Paste Medium

A stack of thick golden slices of crème brûlée french toast on a plate, dusted with powdered sugar

Indulge in thick brioche slices soaked in a rich vanilla custard, pan-fried to golden perfection, and topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust reminiscent of classic Crème Brûlée.

Prep 10 min

Cook 15 min

Total 25 min

Servings 4

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

8.0 slices (320.0 g)day-old brioche bread, about 1-inch thick
4.0 (200.0 g)large eggs
1.0 cup (240.0 ml)heavy cream
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla bean paste
¼ cup (50.0 g)granulated sugar
⅛ tsp (1.0 g)fine sea salt
4.0 tbsp (57.0 g)unsalted butter
¼ cup (50.0 g)turbinado sugar, for caramelizing

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Instructions

Whisk together eggs, heavy cream, vanilla bean paste, granulated sugar, and fine sea salt in a wide shallow dish until fully combined and smooth.
Dip each brioche slice into the custard mixture, allowing it to soak for 20-30 seconds per side without becoming soggy, ensuring even coating.
Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat until melted and slightly bubbling.
Place soaked brioche slices in the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Work in batches if necessary, adding remaining butter as you go.
Preheat your oven broiler to high and arrange the cooked French toast slices on a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Evenly sprinkle about 1 tablespoon of turbinado sugar over each slice.
Place the baking sheet under the broiler about 4-6 inches from the heat source and broil for 1-2 minutes, watching closely, until the sugar melts and forms a crisp caramelized crust. Remove promptly to prevent burning.
Serve immediately, optionally garnished with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Tips

Use day-old brioche for better custard absorption without falling apart.
Vanilla bean paste gives a richer, natural vanilla flavor and visible specks compared to extract.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make crème brûlée french toast?

Plan on 10 minutes of prep and 15 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 4 servings.

How should I store crème brûlée french toast?

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or under a broiler to revive the caramelized crust.

Can I make crème brûlée french toast ahead?

Prepare the custard mixture and soak the bread slices up to 1 hour ahead; keep refrigerated before cooking.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla bean paste (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Indulge in thick brioche slices soaked in a rich vanilla custard, pan-fried to golden perfection, and topped with a crisp caramelized sugar crust reminiscent of classic Crème Brûlée.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 4 servings this recipe makes.

752 Calories / serving

48.1g Fat

66.2g Carbs

15.5g Protein

35.6g Sugar

Whole recipe (4 servings): ~3008 cal · 192g fat · 265g carbs · 62g protein · 142g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 752 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 142 min·8.3 mi·~16600 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 102 min·5.1 mi·~10200 steps
Moderate cycling 76 min·15.2 mi
Swimming laps 105 min
Jogging 74 min·6.2 mi·~11850 steps
Stair climbing 69 min·~6200 steps
Dancing 122 min
Bodyweight circuit training 76 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 175 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

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