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Decadent Crème Brûlée French Toast Recipe with Candied Orange Zest Perfect for Brunch

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A luxurious French toast recipe inspired by crème brûlée, featuring a rich custard soak, a crackly caramelized sugar topping, and bright candied orange zest for a perfect brunch treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • Thick slices of brioche or challah bread (about 1 inch thick), preferably day-old
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
  • ½ cup (120 ml) whole milk
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • ⅓ cup (65 g) granulated sugar, plus extra for topping
  • 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tablespoons candied orange zest (homemade or store-bought)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing the pan

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup whole milk, ⅓ cup granulated sugar, 1 ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until smooth and slightly frothy.
  2. Pour the custard mixture into a shallow dish. Dip each slice of brioche into the custard, soaking about 20 seconds on each side. Set soaked slices on a wire rack to drain excess custard for 1-2 minutes.
  3. Heat a non-stick skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon unsalted butter. Let it melt and foam but not burn.
  4. Place 2-3 soaked slices in the pan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until golden brown and slightly puffed. Add more butter as needed for subsequent batches.
  5. Once all slices are cooked, sprinkle about 1 tablespoon granulated sugar evenly over each slice. Using a culinary torch, caramelize the sugar until it melts and forms a crisp, amber crust. Alternatively, use the oven broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
  6. Top each brûléed French toast slice with a generous sprinkle of candied orange zest and serve immediately.

Notes

Use day-old brioche or challah for best soaking results. Drain soaked bread on a wire rack to avoid sogginess. Keep the torch moving steadily to prevent burning the sugar. If no torch is available, use the oven broiler carefully. Candied orange zest can be made ahead and stored for up to two weeks. For dairy-free or gluten-free versions, substitute ingredients accordingly and adjust soaking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: crème brûlée, French toast, brunch recipe, candied orange zest, caramelized sugar, custard soaked bread, decadent breakfast

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/decadent-cr-e-me-br-u-l-e-e-french-toast-recipe-with-candied-orange-zest-perfect-for-brunch/