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Easy Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake: Best Make-Ahead Recipe

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This easy chocolate croissant breakfast bake is a make-ahead wonder made with buttery croissants, rich chocolate, and a creamy custard. Perfect for brunch or holidays, it comes together in 15 minutes of active prep and tastes like a warm, gooey chocolate croissant in spoonable form.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large croissants (day-old or slightly stale work best)
  • 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk
  • ¾ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for topping)
  • 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (for dusting)
  • Extra chocolate chips (for garnish, optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
  2. Cut the croissants into 1-inch cubes. If using fresh croissants, toast them in the oven at 300°F for 5 minutes to dry them out.
  3. Spread half the croissant cubes in the bottom of the dish. Sprinkle half the chocolate chips evenly over them. Add the remaining croissant cubes and top with the rest of the chocolate. Press down gently.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and slightly frothy.
  5. Pour the custard evenly over the croissant mixture. Use a spatula to gently press down on the croissants so they absorb the custard. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes at room temperature.
  6. Brush the tops with melted butter. Sprinkle extra chocolate chips on top if desired.
  7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the custard is set (center jiggles slightly but doesn’t slosh).
  8. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving.
  9. Dust with powdered sugar right before serving.

Notes

Day-old croissants work best as they hold their shape better. For make-ahead, assemble the night before, refrigerate, and add 5-10 minutes to bake time. Let the bake rest for 10 minutes after baking to allow the custard to set.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate croissant breakfast bake, make-ahead breakfast, brunch recipe, croissant bread pudding, easy breakfast casserole

Find it online: https://bouncybowl.com/easy-chocolate-croissant-breakfast-bake-best-make-ahead-recipe/