Description
Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake with rich chocolate, buttery croissants, and a delicious custard. Perfect for a cozy morning treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large croissants (about 12 oz/340g), slightly stale or day-old
- 8 oz (226g) semisweet or dark chocolate chunks (high-quality chocolate makes a difference)
- 6 large eggs
- 2 cups (473ml) whole milk
- 1 cup (237ml) heavy cream
- 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup (50g) light brown sugar, packed
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons (28g) butter, melted
- Powdered sugar for dusting (optional)
Instructions
- ‘Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish Start by generously buttering a 9×13-inch baking dish. This prevents sticking and adds an extra layer of rich flavor to your Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake. The butter will create a delicious caramelized edge around the casserole as it bakes.
- Step 2: Prepare the Croissants Tear or cut the croissants into roughly 2-inch pieces. Don’t make them too small or uniform – different sizes create interesting texture variations in the final dish. Arrange about half the croissant pieces in the buttered baking dish, creating an even but rustic layer.
- Step 3: Add Chocolate Scatter about two-thirds of your chocolate chunks over the croissant layer. The chocolate will melt into little pockets of goodness throughout your breakfast bake. Be generous with the chocolate distribution – every bite should have some!
- Step 4: Complete the Layers Add the remaining croissant pieces on top of the chocolate layer, creating a second layer. Then sprinkle the remaining chocolate chunks over this top layer, pushing some pieces slightly into the croissants.
- Step 5: Make the Custard Mixture In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined and the sugars are dissolved. The brown sugar adds caramel notes that complement the chocolate beautifully.
- Step 6: Pour Custard Over Croissants Slowly and evenly pour the custard mixture over the croissants and chocolate. Make sure to pour it over all areas of the baking dish, allowing the liquid to seep into all the nooks and crannies of the croissant pieces.
- Step 7: Soak and Press Using the back of a large spoon or your clean hands, gently press the croissant pieces into the custard to help them absorb the liquid. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, but preferably overnight. This resting time is crucial for developing the pudding-like texture of your Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake.
- Step 8: Prepare for Baking When you’re ready to bake, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Drizzle the melted butter over the top of the soaked croissants.
- Step 9: Bake to Perfection Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and crispy, and the center is set but still slightly jiggly. The internal temperature should reach about 160°F (71°C).
- Step 10: Finish and Serve Remove from the oven and let stand for 10-15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the custard to set fully. Dust with powdered sugar if desired, and serve warm with fresh berries or a dollop of whipped cream for an extra special touch.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 36g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 185mg