Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe
This Decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake is a luscious, easy-to-make casserole that transforms buttery croissants and semi-sweet chocolate chips into a rich custard-soaked brunch delight. Perfect for cozy mornings or indulgent desserts, it combines the crispness of baked croissants with melty chocolate and sweet vanilla custard for a crowd-pleasing dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
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: Place the cut croissant pieces evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips generously over and between the croissant layers to ensure chocolate is distributed throughout.
- Make Custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fully combined to form a rich custard.
- Soak the Croissants: Pour the custard evenly over the croissant and chocolate layers in the baking dish. Use a spatula to gently press down the croissants, helping them absorb the custard mixture thoroughly.
- Let Sit (Optional): Allow the mixture to rest for 10 to 15 minutes to give the croissant pieces ample time to soak up the custard for optimal texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place the baking dish uncovered in the oven and bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the custard is set. If the top starts browning too quickly, tent it loosely with aluminum foil for the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking.
- Serve: Remove from oven and let the bake cool slightly. Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with fresh berries or whipped cream if desired, for an elegant and indulgent finish.
Notes
- Day-old croissants work best as they absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk, and use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- You can prepare this bake the night before; assemble and refrigerate overnight for a ready-to-bake breakfast.
- Adjust sugar to taste if you prefer a sweeter or less sweet dish.
- Serving with fresh berries adds a nice tart contrast and visual appeal.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/6 of the dish)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 21g
- Sodium: 270mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 140mg
Keywords: chocolate croissant casserole, breakfast bake, brunch recipe, custard bake, chocolate chip croissants, easy breakfast recipes, indulgent brunch
