Caramelized French Toast with a Crème Brûlée Twist

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Ingredients:

  • 1 loaf of French bread, sliced into 1-inch thick pieces
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 cup half-and-half
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar, plus extra for the topping
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • Maple syrup, for serving

Instructions:

Prepare the Baking Dish:

  1. Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Arrange slices of French bread in a single layer in the dish, slightly overlapping if necessary.

Make the Custard Mixture:

  1. In a large bowl, combine eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla extract, 2/3 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  2. Whisk until everything is well blended.

Soak the Bread:

  1. Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, ensuring all the bread is soaked.
  2. Gently press the bread down to ensure even soaking.
  3. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Bake the French Toast:

  1. The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Remove the plastic wrap.
  3. Dot the top of the bread with small pieces of butter and sprinkle with a little sugar.
  4. Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the toast is puffed up and golden.

Caramelize the Sugar Topping:

  1. Remove from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
  2. Sprinkle the top with additional sugar.
  3. Broil briefly until the sugar caramelizes, forming a crisp, brûlée-like crust.

Serve and Enjoy:

  1. Serve with maple syrup and suggested sides like fresh berries or whipped cream.
  2. Enjoy the luxurious flavors of crème brûlée in a comforting French toast format.

Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour
Calories: 420 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

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