Generously butter a 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the sliced French bread in a single layer, slightly overlapping if needed. The thick slices will absorb the custard beautifully while keeping a soft interior and crisp top.
Step 2: Make the Custard
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, ⅔ cup sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until the mixture is smooth and creamy. This blend gives the toast its rich, custard-like texture and warm spiced flavor.
Step 3: Soak Overnight
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, making sure every piece is well soaked. Lightly press the bread down with a spatula to help it absorb the liquid.
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours). This allows the bread to absorb all the custard, resulting in an ultra-tender, melt-in-your-mouth French toast.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the baking dish from the fridge and take off the plastic wrap.
Dot the top of the soaked bread with small pieces of butter and sprinkle a little granulated sugar over the surface. This will help form that signature caramelized crust.
Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until the top is golden, puffed, and the edges are slightly crisp while the center remains soft and custardy.
Step 5: Add the Crème Brûlée Finish
Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 5 minutes. Sprinkle the top with a generous layer of granulated sugar.
Switch your oven to broil and return the dish to the top rack. Broil briefly, just until the sugar melts and caramelizes into a crackly golden-brown layer — watch carefully, as it can burn quickly!
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Let the French toast cool slightly before serving. Slice into portions and serve with warm maple syrup on the side. The combination of crispy caramelized topping and creamy custard center is pure heaven!
