1. Make the Caramel Mixture: Creating a Sweet and Buttery Base

1. Melt Butter: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt ½ cup of unsalted butter.
2. Add Brown Sugar and Maple Syrup: Add 1 cup of brown sugar and 2 tablespoons of maple syrup to the melted butter.
3. Stir Until Smooth: Stir the mixture constantly until the brown sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. This should take about 3-4 minutes.
4. Pour into Baking Dish: Pour the caramel mixture into the bottom of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly with a spatula.

2. Arrange the Bread: Creating the Foundation

1. Slice Bread: If your loaf of bread is not pre-sliced, slice it into thick slices, about 1 inch thick.
2. Arrange in Dish: Arrange the bread slices in a single layer over the caramel mixture in the baking dish. You may need to overlap the slices slightly to fit them all in.

3. Prepare the Custard: A Rich and Flavorful Mixture

1. Whisk Eggs: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the 5 large eggs until they are well beaten and slightly frothy.
2. Add Half-and-Half: Pour in the 1 ½ cups of half-and-half and whisk until combined.
3. Add Vanilla and Salt: Add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to the egg mixture. Whisk until everything is well incorporated.

4. Soak the Bread: Infusing with Custardy Goodness

1. Pour Custard: Pour the egg and half-and-half mixture evenly over the bread slices in the baking dish.
2. Press Gently: Gently press down on the bread slices with the back of a spoon or spatula to help them absorb the custard.
   • Tip: Make sure all the bread slices are submerged in the custard mixture.

5. Chill Overnight: Allowing the Flavors to Meld

1. Cover with Plastic Wrap: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap.
2. Refrigerate: Place the covered dish in the refrigerator and let it chill overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours. This allows the bread to fully soak up the custard, resulting in a rich and flavorful French toast.

6. Bake to Perfection: Achieving a Golden-Brown and Bubbly Casserole

1. Preheat Oven: The next morning, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Rest at Room Temperature: While the oven is preheating, let the baking dish sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This will help the French toast bake more evenly.
3. Remove Plastic Wrap: Remove the plastic wrap from the baking dish.
4. Bake: Bake the Overnight Crème Brûlée French Toast for 35-45 minutes.
   • Check for Doneness: The French toast is done when the top is golden brown and the caramel mixture is bubbling around the edges. The center should be set but still slightly soft.
5. Cool: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the French toast rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
6. Optional: If any caramel sauce has hardened on the bottom of the pan, you can gently heat the bottom of the dish on the stovetop for a few seconds to loosen it up.
7. Serve: Drizzle any extra caramel sauce from the bottom of the pan over the top of the French toast, if desired. Serve warm.