Description
This Berry Croissant Breakfast Bake is a delightful and easy-to-make casserole perfect for a weekend brunch or special breakfast. Featuring flaky croissants soaked in a rich custard and layered with vibrant mixed berries, this dish bakes to golden perfection in just 25 minutes prep time and about 40 minutes cooking time. The combination of creamy custard, fresh berries, and buttery croissants creates a comforting, fruity, and slightly sweet breakfast treat that serves 8 people.
Ingredients
Scale
Croissant and Berry Layer
- 6 slightly stale or day-old croissants, halved or quartered
- 2 cups mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries)
Custard Mixture
- 2 cups whole milk (or almond/oat milk substitute)
- 1 cup heavy cream (or additional milk/non-dairy cream)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
For Serving
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Croissants: Slice the croissants into halves or quarters. Layer them evenly in the prepared baking dish.
- Add Mixed Berries: Sprinkle the mixed berries evenly over the croissant pieces to distribute fruit throughout the bake.
- Make Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and optional lemon zest until you achieve a smooth custard mixture.
- Combine Custard and Croissants: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants and berries. Gently press down to ensure the croissants soak up the custard well. Let the dish sit for 15-20 minutes, or optionally refrigerate overnight for a more soaked bake.
- Bake: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, until the top is golden and the custard is visibly set around the edges.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bake to cool for 10-15 minutes before serving to let it firm up. Dust the top generously with powdered sugar before serving.
Notes
- Using day-old or slightly stale croissants helps them absorb the custard better for ideal texture.
- You can substitute any milk or cream alternatives such as almond or oat milk if dairy-free is preferred.
- For more flavor depth, refrigerate the assembled dish overnight before baking.
- Fresh berries can be adjusted based on seasonal availability or preference.
- Serve the bake with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream for extra indulgence.
