Description
Creamy berry croissant bake brings delightful French pastry magic to breakfast tables. Layers of flaky croissants merge with sweet berries and rich custard, creating a simple yet elegant morning indulgence you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large croissants, torn into chunks
- 1.5 cups (360 ml) mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 ml) milk (whole, almond, or oat)
- 0.5 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 0.33 cup (80 ml) maple syrup or granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 0.5 tsp cinnamon
- 0.25 tsp salt
- Powdered sugar (optional)
- Maple syrup (optional)
- Whipped cream (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Grease a baking dish and preheat the oven to 350F (175C), establishing an ideal baking environment for a luxurious breakfast casserole.
- Foundation Layer: Tear croissants into rustic chunks and spread evenly across the greased baking vessel, creating a textured base that will absorb the rich custard.
- Berry Embellishment: Distribute fresh berries generously over the croissant pieces, ensuring a colorful and flavorful landscape that promises vibrant bursts in every bite.
- Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until the mixture transforms into a smooth, silky liquid that will infuse the casserole with decadent flavor.
- Liquid Integration: Pour the custard over the croissant and berry arrangement, gently pressing to ensure complete absorption and allowing the bread to soak up the creamy essence thoroughly.
- Flavor Melding: Let the assembled dish rest for 10-15 minutes, permitting the ingredients to intermingle and develop a harmonious flavor profile before baking.
- Baking Transformation: Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes until the surface achieves a golden-brown crust and the center sets completely, creating a perfectly textured breakfast centerpiece.
- Final Flourish: Garnish with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar and serve accompanied by maple syrup or freshly whipped cream for an indulgent and visually stunning presentation.
Notes
- Prevent Soggy Bottom: Use slightly stale croissants to absorb custard without becoming overly mushy, ensuring a perfect texture that’s both soft and structured.
- Customize Berry Selection: Mix different berries like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries for varied flavor profiles and a vibrant color palette that delights the senses.
- Achieve Optimal Consistency: Let the dish rest before baking to allow croissants to fully absorb custard, creating a luxurious, pudding-like center with golden-crisp edges.
- Dietary Adaptation Options: Substitute dairy milk with almond or oat milk for lactose-free version, and use gluten-free croissants to make the recipe accessible for different dietary needs.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 9
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg