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:
- Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Arrange slices of French bread in a single layer in the dish, slightly overlapping if necessary.
- Make the Custard Mixture:
- In a large bowl, combine eggs, half-and-half, milk, vanilla extract, 2/3 cup of sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
- Whisk until everything is well blended.
- Soak the Bread:
- Pour the custard mixture over the bread slices, ensuring all the bread is soaked.
- Gently press the bread down to ensure even soaking.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Bake the French Toast:
- The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Remove the plastic wrap.
- Dot the top of the bread with small pieces of butter and sprinkle with a little sugar.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the toast is puffed up and golden.
- Caramelize the Sugar Topping:
- Remove from the oven and let it cool for a couple of minutes.
- Sprinkle the top with additional sugar.
- Broil briefly until the sugar caramelizes, forming a crisp, brûlée-like crust.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Serve with maple syrup and suggested sides like fresh berries or whipped cream.
- Enjoy the luxurious flavors of crème brûlée in a comforting French toast format.
Additional Information:
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Servings: 6