Creamy Matcha Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake
A creamy custard-soaked French toast bake infused with matcha powder and topped with a caramelized brûlée sugar crust, perfect for a special breakfast or brunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 loaf brioche or challah bread (about 12 ounces / 340 grams), cut into 1-inch cubes
- 6 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 cups whole milk (475 ml)
- 1 cup heavy cream (240 ml)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (150 grams), plus 1/4 cup (50 grams) for topping
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons matcha powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (to grease the baking dish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with melted butter.
- Cut the brioche or challah loaf into 1-inch cubes and spread evenly in the greased baking dish.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, 3/4 cup granulated sugar, and salt until combined.
- In a separate bowl, mix milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and matcha powder. Slowly pour the milk mixture into the eggs while whisking to avoid scrambling. The custard should be smooth and pale green.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread cubes. Press down lightly with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid. Let sit at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the custard is set around the edges but still slightly jiggly in the center. A toothpick inserted near the center should come out mostly clean but moist.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar evenly over the top. Using a kitchen torch, caramelize the sugar until golden and crisp (about 1-2 minutes). Alternatively, place under a broiler on high for 1-2 minutes, watching closely to avoid burning.
- Let the bake cool for 5 minutes to let the crust harden. Serve warm, optionally with powdered sugar or maple syrup.
Notes
Use day-old brioche or challah bread for best texture. Room temperature eggs and dairy help custard mix smoothly. Soak bread in custard for at least 20 minutes. If custard seems undercooked, cover with foil and bake 5-10 minutes longer. If no kitchen torch, use broiler to caramelize sugar topping. Variations include vegan swaps, adding berries, or spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of the
- Calories: 320
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 8
Keywords: matcha, crème brûlée, French toast bake, breakfast, brunch, custard, caramelized sugar, easy recipe