01 -
Warm up your oven to 350°F. Take a baking sheet or oven-safe frying pan and line it with parchment paper to prevent the caramel from sticking.
02 -
If your brioche isn't already sliced, cut it into thick slices - about an inch works perfectly. Then trim off those crusts to create neat squares of soft, pillowy bread.
03 -
In a small bowl, mix together your softened butter and brown sugar until they're well combined and no sugar lumps remain. Now drizzle in the honey, add a tiny pinch of salt, and the cinnamon if you're using it. Stir everything together until you've got a smooth, spreadable sweet mixture.
04 -
Grab a butter knife or offset spatula and generously spread your honey butter mixture on both sides of each piece of bread. Make sure you coat it evenly right to the edges - this is what creates that gorgeous caramelization we're after.
05 -
Place your prepared bread slices on the parchment-lined baking sheet and pop them in the oven. Let them bake for about 14-16 minutes, then carefully flip each piece and continue baking for another 4-5 minutes. You want both sides to develop a beautiful golden-brown color. Keep an eye on them toward the end - sugar can go from perfectly caramelized to burnt in seconds!
06 -
Once they're done, transfer your caramelized toast to a cooling rack and let them rest for about 10 minutes. I know it's tempting to dive right in, but this cooling time is crucial - it allows the caramelized exterior to set properly and prevents burning your mouth on molten sugar.