Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe
This Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake is a luscious, crowd-pleasing morning treat perfect for special occasions or cozy weekends. Layers of buttery croissants are soaked in a rich chocolate custard, then baked to golden perfection, creating a warm, gooey, and chocolatey casserole that everyone will love.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bake:
- 6 large croissants, day-old or fresh
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp salt
For Serving:
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
- Fresh berries (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
Instructions
- Prep the Croissants: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Tear the croissants into bite-sized pieces and place them evenly in the prepared dish. Scatter the chocolate chips over the top of the croissant pieces to ensure every bite has a hint of chocolate.
- Make the Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, granulated sugar, salt, and vanilla extract until fully combined. Gradually add the whole milk and heavy cream, whisking until smooth and slightly frothy.
- Assemble the Bake: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants and chocolate chips, pressing the croissants gently down into the custard to soak well. Let the dish sit for 10-15 minutes to allow the croissants to absorb the liquid thoroughly.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown. A knife inserted into the center should come out clean and the chocolate melted into gooey pockets.
- Cool and Serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bake to cool slightly for about 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar before serving, and optionally garnish with fresh berries and a drizzle of maple syrup for added flavor and presentation.
Notes
- Day-old croissants work best as they absorb the custard better without becoming too soggy.
- This bake can be prepared the night before: assemble, cover, refrigerate, then bake in the morning (add 5-10 minutes to the bake time if baking cold).
- Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate according to your preference.
- For a nutty twist, sprinkle chopped toasted nuts (e.g., almonds or pecans) on top before baking.
Keywords: chocolate croissant bake, chocolate breakfast casserole, decadent breakfast recipe, chocolate custard bake, holiday breakfast, easy brunch recipe
