CrÈme BrÛlÉe French Toast Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the brioche into four 2-inch-thick slices and arrange in a single layer in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
• Whisk together the maple syrup, vanilla, salt, whole eggs and yolks and 3 cups of the milk in a medium bowl. Pour the mixture over the bread. Let soak, refrigerated, for 15 minutes. Flip the slices over and let soak, refrigerated, until almost of all the mixture has soaked into the bread, about 15 minutes more.
• Line a baking sheet with parchment and spray with cooking spray. Transfer the bread to the prepared baking sheet, letting as much of the milk mixture drip off before transferring as possible. Bake until light golden brown on top and the custard is completely cooked through, about 35 minutes. Transfer to a heatproof serving platter.
• Meanwhile, combine the brown sugar, butter and cinnamon in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat and cook, whisking occasionally, until melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Pour in the remaining 2 tablespoons milk and bring to a simmer. Cook, whisking frequently, until the sugar is dissolved and the sauce is thickened, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• Sprinkle the top of each slice of bread with 2 tablespoons of the granulated sugar. Use a kitchen blowtorch to melt the sugar and caramelize it. Let sit for 5 minutes until hardened. Serve warm with the caramel syrup on the side.

Steps:

• Pour the heavy cream into a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
• Mix 1 cup of sugar (200 g) and the cinnamon in a small bowl and add to the cream, followed by the egg yolks and vanilla. Whisk well to combine.
• Dip each slice of bread into the cream mixture, coating both sides well. Place the dipped bread on the wire rack set over the baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, flip the bread over, then bake for another 15 minutes, until slightly crispy.
• Slice the strawberries into decorative shapes of your choosing. For a strawberry rose, place a strawberry stem side down and carefully make thin slices around the outer edge of the strawberry, making sure not to cut all the way through. Continue cutting and rotating the strawberry until you get to the center. Fan out the "petals".
• Preheat the oven to 350˚F (180˚C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set a wire rack on top.
• For a strawberry fan, lay a strawberry on its flattest side. Tilt the knife at a 45˚ angle and make thin, angled slices through the strawberry, keeping the top of the strawberry connected and slicing all the way through the bottom of the berry. Fan out the slices.
• Sprinkle the remaining sugar on top of the bread and broil on high for 3 minutes, until the sugar has melted and browned, or carefully use a kitchen torch to brûlée the sugar.
• Top with whipped cream and strawberries and serve.
• Enjoy!

Steps:

• For the nut crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the nuts on separate baking sheets and toast until browned and fragrant, about 10 minutes.
• Rub the hazelnuts in a clean dishtowel to remove the skins. Allow the nuts to cool completely.
• Add the hazelnuts to a food processor and pulse a few times to chop. Add the pecans to the hazelnuts and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a plate.
• For the caramel sauce: Combine the brown sugar, corn syrup, granulated sugar and evaporated milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil while whisking frequently, especially as it gets close to boiling. Boil, whisking frequently, for 2 minutes. Let cool.
• For the sauteed pears: Melt the butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the pear and cook gently until lightly browned.
• Add the creme de cocoa, using caution as the liqueur may flame briefly and then go out as the alcohol burns off. Cook down until the sauce becomes thick, about 5 minutes.
• For the fresh whipped cream: Combine the cream, sugar and vanilla in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form.
• For the batter: Whisk together the eggs, creamer, hazelnut liqueur, vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl.
• Dip 2 slices of the bread in the batter, turning to coat. Lay the battered bread on the nuts and coat both sides of each slice, pressing down firmly so they adhere. Repeat with the remaining bread.
• Heat the butter in a skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add the coated bread and cook until crisp and golden, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• To plate: Place 2 pieces of French toast on each plate and top with some sauteed pears, a generous drizzle of caramel sauce, whipped cream and more caramel sauce.