Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast

Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
Arrange the sliced French bread in a single layer in the dish, fitting the slices as best as you can to fill the entire pan.
2. Make the Custard:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, whole milk, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth and well combined.
3. Soak the Bread:
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread slices, making sure each slice is soaked. Press down gently to ensure all the bread is soaked in the custard. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
4. Bake the French Toast:
In the morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Dot the top of the soaked bread with butter (cut into small pieces) before baking.
Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and slightly crispy.
5. Caramelize the Top:
After baking, sprinkle a thin layer of granulated sugar over the top of the French toast.
Use a kitchen torch to carefully caramelize the sugar, or if you don’t have a torch, place the dish under the broiler for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to prevent burning. The sugar should turn golden and crispy.
6. Serve:
Let the French toast cool slightly before slicing. Serve with maple syrup and additional toppings like fresh berries or whipped cream, if desired.
Serving and Storage Tips: