Cranberry Custard Pie Recipe
This Crème Brûlée French Toast recipe combines the rich, custardy goodness of classic French toast with the luxurious caramelized sugar topping of crème brûlée. Using thick slices of brioche or challah bread soaked in a vanilla and cinnamon-infused custard, then baked to golden perfection and finished with a crisp brûléed sugar crust, this dish offers a decadent breakfast or brunch treat perfect for special occasions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes (including soaking time; overnight soaking will increase total time)
- Yield: 12-14 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Bread
- 1 loaf of brioche or challah bread (12-14 slices)
Custard
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond/oat milk for dairy-free)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or brown sugar)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or nutmeg)
- Pinch of salt
Topping
- Additional sugar for caramelizing
- Fresh berries (optional)
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bread: Cut the brioche or challah into thick slices and arrange them evenly in a greased baking dish to ensure the custard absorbs uniformly.
- Make the Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Soak the Bread: Pour the prepared custard evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish, pressing down gently on the bread to help it soak up the custard fully. Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or ideally overnight, to allow maximum flavor absorption.
- Preheat the Oven: Remove the dish from the refrigerator and preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking.
- Bake the French Toast: Place the baking dish in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top turns golden brown. For an extra crispy top, broil the dish for an additional 2 to 3 minutes while closely monitoring to prevent burning.
- Brûlée the Top: Sprinkle a thin, even layer of sugar over the baked French toast. Using a kitchen torch, carefully caramelize the sugar until it forms a crisp, golden crust. Alternatively, you can place the dish under the broiler for 1 to 2 minutes, watching closely to achieve the desired caramelization.
- Serve: Allow the French toast to cool slightly to set the brûléed crust. Serve with fresh berries, a light dusting of powdered sugar, and drizzle with maple syrup if desired for an indulgent finishing touch.
Notes
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk, and use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Soaking the bread overnight in the custard will yield a richer flavor and softer texture.
- If you don't have a kitchen torch, the broiler method works well but requires careful attention to avoid burning.
- Using day-old brioche or challah bread helps the custard soak better without becoming soggy.
- Adjust the amount of cinnamon or nutmeg according to your taste preference.
Find it online: https://alinacooks.com/cranberry-custard-pie-recipe-2/
