Crème Brûlée French Toast with Orange Blossom Water

1. Preheat and Prepare

Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F. In a medium bowl, whisk together the light brown sugar and the melted unsalted butter until well combined. This mixture will help to create a caramelized, crispy brulée crust on the bottom of the toast, making each bite delightfully crunchy and sweet.

2. Make the Custard Mixture

In a pie pan or a shallow dish, combine the well-beaten eggs, milk, freshly squeezed orange juice, orange blossom water, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt. Whisk these ingredients until they form a smooth and aromatic custard mixture. The orange blossom water adds a delicate floral note, enhancing the overall flavor profile of the French toast.

3. Soak the Bread

Place the baguette slices into the custard mixture, ensuring each slice is well coated. Let the bread soak for at least 15 minutes. This soaking allows the bread to absorb the custard, ensuring a rich and creamy texture when baked.

4. Bake the French Toast

Arrange the soaked bread slices on a large rimmed baking sheet. Pour any remaining custard over the bread to ensure maximum flavor absorption. Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake the French toast for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown and the brown sugar is bubbling, forming a delicious brulée crust.

5. Serve

Once baked, serve the French toast hot, sugar side up, directly from the pan. The syrup from the pan can be drizzled over the top for added sweetness. For an optional savory touch, consider baking bacon on a separate pan and serving it alongside the French toast.