Description
This Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake is a decadent and crowd-pleasing brunch dish that combines buttery croissants with rich semi-sweet chocolate chips soaked in a sweet vanilla egg custard. Perfectly baked until golden and set, it’s an easy make-ahead recipe that’s sure to impress family and friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 6 large croissants, preferably day-old, torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Optional
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Prepare the dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking.
- Assemble the base: Tear the croissants into bite-sized pieces and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the croissant pieces to ensure a nice distribution of chocolate in every bite.
- Make custard mixture: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined and smooth. This mixture will soak into the croissants, creating a rich custard base.
- Combine: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the croissant and chocolate layers. Gently press down on the croissant pieces with a spatula or your hand so they soak up the custard fully, ensuring a moist bake throughout.
- Soak: Let the entire mixture sit for about 10 minutes at room temperature. This rest period allows the croissants to absorb the egg mixture deeply, leading to a tender, custard-like texture after baking.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the top turns golden brown and the center is set but still slightly soft. Avoid overbaking to maintain moistness.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bake to cool for a few minutes before slicing. Dust with powdered sugar if desired for an extra touch of sweetness and presentation. Serve warm and enjoy!
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the egg mixture before pouring over the croissants.
- Substitute chocolate chips with fresh fruit like berries or sliced bananas for a lighter, fruity twist on the classic bake.
- Day-old croissants absorb the custard better, but fresh croissants can be used in a pinch.
- This dish is perfect for making the night before; simply refrigerate after assembling and bake in the morning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/6 of recipe)
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 140 mg
Keywords: chocolate croissant bake, breakfast bake, brunch casserole, custard bake, chocolate chip breakfast, easy brunch recipe
