Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe
A luscious and comforting breakfast bake featuring buttery croissants soaked in a rich chocolate custard. This decadent dish combines the flaky texture of day-old croissants with melty semi-sweet chocolate chips, all baked to golden perfection. Ideal for a cozy brunch or special morning treat, it’s easy to prepare yet impressively indulgent.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast Bake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 5 large croissants (preferably day-old), cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Toppings
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Fresh berries, for serving
- Whipped cream, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Layer Croissants and Chocolate: Evenly spread the 1-inch croissant pieces in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over and between the layers to ensure every bite has melty chocolate.
- Make Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 2 cups whole milk, 4 large eggs, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and ¼ teaspoon salt until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Soak the Croissants: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants in the baking dish. Use a spatula to gently press down the croissants so they absorb the custard thoroughly.
- Let Sit (Optional): Allow the custard-soaked croissants to rest for 10–15 minutes. This resting period helps the bread pieces soak up more custard, enhancing the creamy texture.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set. If the top browns too quickly, tent with aluminum foil during the last 10–15 minutes of baking.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bake cool slightly. Dust the top with powdered sugar if desired. Serve warm, accompanied by fresh berries or whipped cream for an extra touch of indulgence.
Notes
- Day-old croissants work best because they soak up the custard without becoming too mushy.
- Use whole milk for the richest custard; you can substitute 2% milk but the texture will be lighter.
- The optional resting step improves custard absorption but you can bake immediately if short on time.
- Covering with foil toward the end of baking prevents over-browning while the custard sets completely.
- For added flavor, consider sprinkling a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg into the custard mixture.
Keywords: chocolate croissant bake, breakfast bake, custard bake, chocolate breakfast casserole, croissant casserole
