Description
Creamy, dreamy French Croissant Berry Breakfast Bake slides perfectly onto your morning plate, bringing sweet comfort from French bakery traditions. Crisp croissant pieces nestled with plump berries create a simple brunch masterpiece that delights family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 croissants
- 1 ½ cups mixed berries
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
Supporting Ingredients:
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Garnish Ingredients:
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- Heat the oven precisely to 350°F (175°C) and coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of butter or non-stick spray.
- Rip each croissant into chunky, irregular pieces about 1-2 inches wide, distributing them across the greased baking dish.
- Scatter 1 ½ cups of mixed berries generously over the croissant pieces, ensuring even coverage.
- Whisk 4 large eggs, 1 cup whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl until the mixture becomes completely smooth and well-integrated.
- Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly across the croissants, gently pressing down so the bread absorbs the liquid completely. Allow the dish to rest for 10 minutes.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes until the top turns a rich golden brown and the center sets firmly.
- Remove from the oven and let the breakfast bake rest for 5 minutes. Dust with ¼ cup powdered sugar, drizzle with ½ cup maple syrup, and sprinkle ¼ cup sliced almonds across the top for delightful crunch.
Notes
- Let the croissants sit in the custard for 10 minutes before baking to ensure they absorb all the delicious flavors and become wonderfully soft.
- Select day-old croissants for the best texture, as slightly stale pastries soak up the custard more effectively than fresh ones.
- For a gluten-free version, swap croissants with gluten-free bread or a mix of almond flour and gluten-free breadcrumbs to maintain a similar consistency.
- Experiment with different berry combinations like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries to customize the flavor profile and keep the breakfast bake exciting.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Pastries
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 423 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg