You know me by now. Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, there are really no big differences when it comes to a great special casserole. Weekends are meant to be spent with the ones you love. And in my home, that usually involves food. Good food. And lots of it. But it has to be something everyone can eat at the same time. Family bonding and storytelling happens around the table and I like to be in the middle of it. This Creme Brûlée French Toast Casserole can be put together in a jiffy and finished while someone (other than you) sets the table. Baked in under an hour you will have loads of time to tell the grands all those blackmail stories of the days when their parents were little!
Creme Brulee French Toast Casserole
Ingredients
French Toast:
- ½ cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 Tbsp. corn syrup
- 1 pound bread French, challah, or croissants
- 8 large eggs
- 1¼ cups milk
- 1¼ cups cream
- 1 Tbsp. vanilla
- ¼ tsp. salt
Sabayon Sauce:
- 6 large yolks
- 1/4 cup – 1/2 cup granulated sugar if you use the whipped cream or mascarpone cheese then use more sugar
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 4 Tablespoon of Marsala wine ** traditional
- 1 teaspoon lemon or orange zest optional
- 4 oz or 1/2 cup whipped cream or 4 tablespoons whipped mascarpone cheese **optional
Instructions
French Toast:
- In a small saucepan cook the butter, brown sugar and corn syrup over moderate heat, stirring frequently, until smooth and tawny. Pour the mixture in an even layer into a 12"x 8" baking dish. (You can use a slightly larger backing dish but adjust the cooking time.)
- Tear up bread into ragged chunks or cut into cubes about 1" in size (I cut). Add all the bread on top of sugar mixture and press lightly so the bread compresses a bit. Don't squish more than about ¼ of the air out.
- In a medium bowl or giant measuring cup with a spout whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, and salt until combined well and pour evenly over the bread. Cover the casserole with cling wrap and refrigerate a few hours or overnight.
- Preheat oven to 350 F and bring bread to room temperature.
- Bake casserole, uncovered, in middle of oven until puffed and edges are pale golden, 35 to 40 minutes. The simplest method to check for doneness is with a digital thermometer. The casserole is ready when the internal temperature is 160.
- Serve hot French toast immediately with fresh strawberries, butter, favorite syrup or whipped cream. It looks prettiest when pieces are served upside down.
Sabayon Sauce:
- First, fill a large bowl with water and ice and set this aside. Set up a double boiler on your stove top and make sure that the bowl that is sitting on top is not touching the hot water below in the pot. Add the yolks to the bowl and turn the heat on medium high and start whisking. The yolks will slowly get warmer, so keep on whisking and add a little sugar at a time until it is all incorporated. Continue to whip until the sabayon is very pale and registers 160°F on your thermometer. If you do not have a thermometer, you can tell when the sabayon has reached that temperature when you touch it with your finger and it feels very warm/almost hot, but not scalding hot. Make sure you continue whisking so as not to cook the yolks.
- Cook at this temperature for a few minutes and then carefully remove the bowl from the double boiler and set it into the larger bowl that you have set aside that is half filled with ice water. Continue to whip until completely cool and ribbons form as it falls from the whisk.
- Add the marsala wine or liquor of your choice plus the vanilla and serve immediately or cover and set in the refrigerator…but use within 2 hours. If you need to make this ahead of time, you can fold in some whipped mascarpone cheese before you cover and put it in the refrigerator. Or you can whip some cream and fold it in to the sauce to lighten it up right before serving.
- Traditionally, sabayon is made with marsala wine, but you can use whatever you like. Many people use rum, brandy, cognac, grand marnier etc…I had both strawberries and orange segments, so I added 4 Tablespoons of grand marnier and 1 teaspoon of orange zest. Whatever you use, just make sure that the flavor of the liquor will compliment the fruit you are using.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Information is estimated based on the ingredients and cooking instructions as described in each recipe and is intended to be used for informational purposes only. Please note that nutrition details may vary based on methods of preparation, origin and freshness of ingredients used.
Conversion Information We get a lot of requests to help with conversions especially between various countries like Canada, the U.K. and Australia. These tables should help you make those conversions. For your convenience we have included a Conversion Chart.
Disclaimer Unless indicated recipes influenced by cookbooks, magazines or family traditions.
Ooooh, this looks delicious. I often pick up French bread or challah when it is on sale at the grocery store. This would be the perfect way to try something new next time. Thanks for sharing!
Challah makes the best french toast. It absorbs so well and it can be stacked sky high! Enjoy your evening. Happy Easter.
This looks like I would eat it for breakfast, lunch and as a dessert! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Thank you Roseann! It is one of those recipes that I CAN eat for any meal. Enjoy a great week!
You’re killing me with all this burnt sugar goodness!! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Hope you come again next week.
I can’t have it anymore due to health reasons and such. But a girl can dream!! LOL. Enjoy.
Wow, Marilyn. You’ve outdone yourself with this one! I have a girls trip coming up in July. We take turns cooking for each other. I just may have to try this recipe!
Thank you Christie. That is quite a compliment. If you give it a try let me know. Enjoy your week!
Oh…..My…..Goodness…..Marilyn that looks mouthwatering, delicious!
Thank you for sharing on #omhgww this week!
Hope you enjoy your week!
Thank you so much Karren. I love your parties and hope to attend many more! Have a great week.
This is perfect for holiday breakfast. You can pop it in the oven and as you said, be a part of fun. Love it. And not to mention how yummy it looks. TFS
Thank you Clearissa. I love these french toast bakes for family get togethers. Enjoy!
I will add this to my repertoire of baked french toasts! Want to post on Welcome Heart, Welcome Home ? (: Thanks, Marilyn!
I am glad you like the recipe. I love french toasr. I went to your blog and couldn’t find anything about a party or guest posting. Sorry! Have a Merry Christmas!
That photo makes me want to touch my screen and lick my fingers! Wow, Marilyn, this looks amazing. I’ve pinned the recipe; I think it would make a great Christmas Day treat to enjoy after opening gifts.
Thanks for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!
Thank you Richella for the kind words. This Creme brulee French Toast image is actually one of my favorite. I use the camera on my iPhome and iPad so it is mainly WYSIWYG. But when I blow this up I can see the sauce dripping down the side and I can;t help but want to eat it. LOL. Merry Christmas to you and your family. Enjoy!
I have a feeling that we have featured this recipe before but who cares it looks awesome and we will feature it again.
Kathleen
Blogger’s Pit Stop
You may have Kathleen. I am mainly reviving older recipesfrom 2013 to 2015. I appreciate the gesture of featuring, but if you have a newer recipe from a guest by all means feature them!! I am thrilled that you like it. Enjoy your week!
This looks divine! I make french toast frequently, but a much simpler version than this. My daughter would go nuts over this! Putting it on my “to try” list. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you Amy. We love french toast so I am always looking for ways to make it and still have us all eating at the same time. I hope you get a chance to make this. I would hope your daughter will approve.
marilyn, I am spotlighting this recipe on #TuneInThursday .. It looks delicious and I may try it for our Christmas breakfast – french toast is my absolute favorite yummy
Oh! Thank you so much Debbie. I am thrilled. And I do hope you get to try this. It is such a special treat. Have a lovely week.
Yum! What a decadent dish to serve for Christmas Brunch!
Thank you Linda. Your guests will love this french toast! Have a lovely week.
More french toast?! You are killing me! This looks so yummy!
Thanks for linking up @LiveLifeWell!
Blessings,
Amy
This was french toast week. And it kinda ran over to this week a bit. What can I say? Breakfast rules. Have a lovely week!
What a very special breakfast casserole for the season! Hope you have a great week and thanks so much for sharing this awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great week!
Ohmygoodness! Looks delicious! I’ll have to try this one for sure! Thanks for partying with us at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty 27.
Thank Sylvia and welcome to my kitchen. I am thrilled you like this french toast. If you get to make it let me know!! Have a lovely week.
This looks quite good. I’ll have to check it out. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Lee. I am glad this recipe appeals to you! Have a lovely week.
Thanks so much Marilyn for partying with us at the #WednesdayAIMLinkParty and Giveaway! We hope to see you at our next party on Dec-19-2018.
You are welcome Dee. I look forward to spreading the news! Enjoy your day!
This french toast sounds just perfect for serving on Christmas morning! Thanks for sharing this at our Cooking and Crafting with J & J.
Enjoy the week.
Julie
Thank you Julie. This french toast is definitely a keeper for a special brunch. Have a lovely week.
Loving all the different french toast recipes especially if I can make them ahead of time. Found you on Grandma’s Briefs link party.
Make ahead food is important to me. My days of cooking, then eating cold food are over. Have a lovely week Candy.
It looks ooey gooey delicious! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party – hope your week is great!
Thanks Helen. Have a relaxing week. If possible!
This creme brulee french toast casserole looks fabulous. I love your way of thinking that food and getting together are a way of life. Thank you for sharing.
Food and gathering has been very important in our home. As a child, most of my extended family on bother sides lived far away. But when we were able tocget togehter, the sharing of a meal was the most importnat part of the gathering. I am happy to hear it is for you too. Enjoy your week.
It is a very special recipe for special occasions. Thank you so much for sharing at Sweet Inspiration Link Party. Happy New Year 🙂
You are welcome Christina. I will be visiting again this week. I hope you have a great week.
This has to be the champagne of breakfasts Marilyn. Happy New Year!
Thanks Mary! We only have this once a year but the family loves it. I hope you are enjoying your week!
I adore French toast and I adore creme brulee…when you smoosh the two together, what’s not to love? Thanks for sharing on Friday Frenzy! Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck – Colleen
Thank you Colleen. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
This looks delicious, and I love that it’s a casserole! Breakfast has some of my favorite foods by the way! Breakfast for dinner is the best. 🙂 Thank you for linking up with Live Life Well again this week. We are so happy to have your wonderful recipes for our readers.
Thank you Jessica. Anything I can serve in one dish and even make ahead is tops in my book! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
That looks insanely delicious! Thanks for sharing it with us at the Homestead Blog Hop!
I am glad it speaks to youAnn. And I love your party. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
This looks amazing! We are going to make this for breakfast on Christmas morning. Thanks for sharing at Friday Frenzy!! Pinned
Let me know how it turns out for you. Enjoy! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This looks so tasty, Marilyn, It would be great for a holiday morning brunch!
Thanks for joining us at Party in Your PJs!
Thank you Donna. I am glad you like it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This looks yummy! Thanks for joining the To Grandma’s House We Go link party!
Thanks sheri! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
My husband is drooling over this….I definitely need to make it now! PINNED!
It is a unique way to make french toast. Enjoy! Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
This sounds absolutely delicious!! Great for a weekend with friends and family. Thanks for sharing at #BloggersPitStop
Debbie from Debs-world.com
Thanks DEbbie. I make this as a special brunch treat. My family loves it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. have a great week!
I’d be pretty happy if Santa would make this for me on Christmas morning! It’s my featured pick at Over the Moon because it looks so YUMMY and delicious! I’m drooling.
Thank you Shelley for the feature. And also for mentioning my cherry pineapple cheesecake in your roundup. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!!
I love french toast and I love creme brulee, so this looks and sounds like a winner to me! Pinning, I think next time we have guest staying over this would be wonderful to serve for a fancy brunch.
I think so too Julie. And it presents well also. (I have a creme brulee waffle too!)
One of my all-time faves!!!
My son loves anything creme brulee! Glad to hear Colleen! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
My Frech Toast sweet loving mom absolutely adored this.
I am so glad Elise!! I love when I hit a sweet spot. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This looks wonderful! Cannot wait to try it!
Thanks Becca. I am glad it motivates you! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
This looks so delicious – makes my mouth water! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party!
Thanks Helen. That photo is one of the million in one chances of the perfect timing and lighting. I am a point and shoot iPhone gal. I should have played the lottery that day!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Oh my gosh! You are killing me! This looks sooooo good! Seems like a great one for our Christmas get together! I think I might try it out. Thanks for the yummy-ness!
Thanks for linking up with us as well!
Glad to have hot your sweet tooth Amy! I hope you get to sample it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Wow Marilyn! I’m not sure I could eat all of that and I do love my food. It looks pretty decadent. Thanks for hosting and sharing with us at #overthemoon link party. I’ve pinned and shared on social media.
That was a huge slice so I could get it out of the pan in one piece! Thanks Sue for sharing your thoughts. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
This sounds so GOOD! I cannot wait to try it! And whats 76 more carbs…. hahaha
🙂 gwingal
Yeah. About those carbs. If you divide the serving into 10 per french toast. And then wait 5 minutes between each bite… doesn’t that make like only 7.6 carbs?? I say YES! LOL. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday.
Wow, this looks super delicious! My mouth is watering, and I wish I could eat this NOW! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
I am glad you like it Natalie. I hope you get the chance to give it a try. Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.
You got me with creme brulee – Now I will have to make this one soon. Thanks for sharing I will pin and tweet then I will have it when I want to make it. Thanks
Thank you for commenting as well as the pin and tweet. I hope you can sample it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
Wow! I love the sound of this one!! Thanks for sharing!
I am glad you like it Jhuls. I hope you get to sample it. Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
This looks amazing!
Thank you Joanne. Merry Christmas . Have a wonderful week!
Oh my goodness this look amazing. These are 2 of my favorites. Pairing them together is pure genius!
Thank you Jen! So many flavors, so few meals! This is why I love the holidays. It is Splurge Season! Have a great week.
This is one fabulous breakfast- perfect for a brunch for company for sure.
Thank you Judee. We have this on Easter mornings. The family loves it. Have a great week!
For the love! THIS CAN’T GET BETTER – I think I am cyber drooling bahaha! I really needed something for xmas morning. What a yummy, perfect post! I can’t wait to pin this 🙂 xo
This is a great brunch option since you can feed everyone at the same time! Thanks for the pin. Have a great week!
Congratulatitons!
Your recipe is featured on Full Plate Thursday and pinned to our Full Plate Thursday Features Board. Enjoy your new Red Plate and thanks so much for sharing with us!
Come Back Soon,
Miz Helen
Thank you so much Miz Helen. I can’t wait until the party starts. Have a good week!
Marilyn ,this looks wonderful! Definitely a must make!
Thank you Keri! Enjoy!
Oh my gosh, Marilyn, I saw this and I yearned to eat it. I didn’t even read the recipe but I had to come by and say I bet this amazing! Celiac bites! Insert little sad and mad face. Ha ha.
Olivia
Thanks Olivia! That is truly a great compliment! Hugz
This looks perfect for a Sunday brunch especially if you’re hosting guests for the weekend … awesome sauce xo
Thanks Carla! It’s a great choice for a special occasion. Have a great week!
My husband’s favorite dessert is creme brûlée. I know he’d love this dish!
I bet he will Ellen! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Creme Brulee is one of my favorite things in the world. Then throw in the french toast aspect, breakfast for dinner, and something I can make in a casserole dish? This is a huge winner for me! Thanks for sharing your recipe, my family is gonna love this! Perfect for a cold winter evening!
I knew you could use another breakfast idea, Nikki! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Have a great week!
This sounds wonderful! Perfect for a Sunday Brunch… Can’t wait to try it!
I really hope you get the chance. I know you will love it as much as we do!
This sounds heavenly!! YUM!!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thanks Jess!
Just the name of this recipe makes my mouth water! Absolutely delicious! 🙂 Thanks for sharing at #SmallVictories linkup!
Thanks Danita. I am happy you like it! Enjoy your week.
Wow, Marilyn! This looks so decadent and delicious. I’m thinking it will be perfect for Christmas brunch this year. Yum! Pinned and sharing. Thank you for linking up to Family Joy Blog Link-Up Party again this week.
It will make an excellent holiday brunch! Thanks Cristina. Enjoy the week!
You sure know how to capture those drips at the perfect moment! It would be sinful to have this everyday for breakfast but it would sure be delightful.
I never even saw that until I posted the zoomed in shot! Thanks Sandra. Have a great week!
I was just talking to the kids about making a French toast casserole. Now I don’t have to search for a recipe.
You will love this! Have a great week!
I need to try this sometime when my parents are visiting! Thanks!
Blessings, Leigh
I hope everyone loves it as much as we do! Have a great week!
This looks so yummy! I never had a Brulee, didn’t even know what it was. I do love French toast, and this looks amazing. I will have to try it sometime. Pinning!
Thank you Linda for the pin nd sharing your thoughts. Brulee is a sweet and crunchy topping and the taste is very unique. I hope you get to enjoy it!
Marilyn, it looks so delicious, thank you for stopping by to share on Oh My Heartsie Girl this week, thank you!
Karren 🙂
Thnk you Karren. See you Friday. Have a great week!
Looks super delicious! Thanks for sharing with us at the Merry Monday link party! Hope to see you there next week!
Kate | TheOrganizedDream.com
Thank you Kate. Have a great week!
Great recipe for a dinner party. Stopping by from the Let’s Be Friends party.
Thank you Christine. Have a great week!
Oh my! Yes, Please!!
Thanks for sharing and linking up at Dishing It & Digging It. We enjoy seeing your creativity each week! 🙂
Thank you Lori. Have a great week!
Sounds fabulous! Thanks for linking up to Merry Monday! Pinned! Have a great week!
Kim
You are welcome Kim! Have a great week!
oh man – just look at that dripping with decadence! Wow Marilyn – this looks incredible! Thanks for sharing on the What’s for Dinner Link up!
I just click my iPhone. I am amazed how much detail it captures! Thanks Helen.
Marilyn you are speaking my language!
I love the sounds of this!
Tasty!
Thanks
Michelle
It is a great twist on a common dish. Enjoy it!
Oh my this looks like pure heaven. I can just imagine taking a bite.
Thank you so much. Your tastebuds will dance when you bite into this!
Wow, Marilyn! The way you cook everyone else should be doing all the cleaning, etc! This recipe looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing it! Blessings, Janet
Thank you so much Janet. I am blessed with a husband that shops, vaccuums and does laundry. And my son and his family set the table and do cleanup. Brainstorming meals and cooking are all I do!
Marilyn, thanks for sharing this at Family Joy Linkup. My french toast is not this fancy, just your basic. I bet this dish is a labor of love. Your family sounds like a great team.
Thank you Charlotte. At times we do act like a well oiled machine!
I love French toast anyway. This seems like it will be heaven to me! Thank you!
It is a great recipe to make for that special holiday brunch! Thanks.
I love an interesting brunch idea—this sounds fabulous!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Thank you Jodie! I debated about posting this. Thanks for the vote of confidence! Have a fantastic week!