Description
This indulgent Croissant Breakfast Bake combines buttery day-old croissants with a creamy custard infused with vanilla and studded with semi-sweet chocolate chips. Baked until golden and slightly crispy on top, this comforting dish is perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, offering a luscious texture and rich flavors that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Base
- 5 large day-old croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Custard Mixture
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Layer croissants and chocolate chips: Evenly distribute the croissant pieces in the baking dish, then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over them to create pockets of melted chocolate throughout.
- Mix custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming a rich custard base.
- Pour custard over croissants: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces, making sure to gently press the croissants down so they soak up the custard thoroughly for maximum flavor and moisture.
- Let soak: Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes so the croissants absorb the custard fully, resulting in a tender and custardy bake.
- Bake: Place the uncovered dish in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden brown and puffed. If the bake browns too quickly, cover lightly with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven, allow it to cool slightly, then serve warm. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries for an elegant presentation and extra flavor.
Notes
- Using day-old croissants allows them to soak up the custard without becoming too mushy.
- If croissants are very fresh, consider slightly toasting them before assembling to maintain texture.
- Feel free to substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with white chocolate or dried fruits for a different flavor profile.
- Serving with powdered sugar and fresh berries adds freshness and balances the sweetness of the bake.
- Covering the bake with foil during baking helps prevent over-browning if your oven runs hot.
- Allowing the bake to rest after cooking improves sliceability and flavor melding.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American