Description

This Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake is a decadent and comforting dish perfect for a special brunch or breakfast. Day-old croissants soaked in a rich custard with semi-sweet chocolate chips create a warm, gooey, and indulgent treat that’s baked to golden perfection. The combination of vanilla and almond extracts adds a subtle aromatic depth, making it an irresistible crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Breakfast Bake:

4 large croissants, preferably day-old, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 large eggs
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Topping:

Powdered sugar, for dusting (optional)

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare the baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch or similarly sized deep baking dish to prevent sticking.
Arrange croissants and chocolate chips: Place the croissant pieces evenly in the baking dish, then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the croissant pieces to distribute the chocolate throughout the bake.
Make the custard mixture: In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
Combine custard with croissants: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants and chocolate chips in the dish. Use a spatula to gently press down the croissants to help them soak up the custard fully.
Soak before baking: Let the mixture sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes to ensure the croissants absorb the custard thoroughly.
Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown.
Cool before serving: Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 10 minutes to allow the bake to firm up and be easier to serve.
Optional finishing touch: Lightly dust the top with powdered sugar before serving for a sweet, decorative finish.

Notes

Using day-old croissants helps them better absorb the custard without becoming too mushy.
Feel free to substitute chocolate chips with chunks of your favorite chocolate bar for richer flavor and texture.
This bake can be prepared the night before; assemble and refrigerate overnight, then bake fresh in the morning (may require a few extra minutes in the oven).
For a nut-free version, omit almond extract or substitute with an equal amount of extra vanilla extract.
Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator and reheated gently for breakfast the next day.