Description
Whipping up this orange croissant breakfast bake delivers pure morning comfort straight from your kitchen. Buttery layers of croissants soaked in zesty orange-infused custard create a simple yet satisfying breakfast treat that sparks weekend joy.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 6 croissants
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup orange juice
- 1 cup milk
Flavor Enhancers:
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
Citrus Components:
- 1 zest of orange
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F and generously coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter so your croissants won’t stick.
- Tear 6 large croissants into rustic, bite-sized chunks and distribute them evenly across the prepared baking dish.
- Crack 4 large eggs into a mixing bowl and whisk them until smooth and slightly frothy.
- Add 1 cup orange juice, 1 cup milk, ½ cup sugar, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and the fresh zest from one entire orange to the eggs.
- Whisk the liquid ingredients together until the sugar completely dissolves and everything is well combined.
- Gently pour the orange-infused mixture over the croissant pieces, making sure every chunk gets thoroughly saturated.
- Press down lightly on the croissants to help them absorb the liquid, creating a custard-like texture throughout the dish.
- Slide the baking dish into the preheated 350F oven and bake for 35 minutes, watching for a golden-brown top and a slightly firm center.
- Remove from the oven and let the breakfast bake rest for 10 minutes, allowing it to set and cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Stale croissants work best, as they absorb the custard mixture more effectively and create a better texture.
- For a lighter version, swap whole milk with almond or skim milk and reduce sugar by 25%.
- Sprinkle extra orange zest on top right before serving to boost the bright citrus flavor and add visual appeal.
- Prepare this dish the night before and refrigerate, allowing croissants to soak overnight for deeper flavor and easier morning preparation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Pastries
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 336 kcal
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg