Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe
A decadent and easy-to-make Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake featuring layers of buttery croissants, rich cream cheese custard, and semi-sweet chocolate chips. Perfect for a special morning treat or brunch, this casserole bakes until golden and custardy, offering a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes plus standing or overnight chilling
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 (10 to 13-oz) package mini croissants, chopped
- 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
Custard Mixture
- 2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, room temperature
- 1⅓ cup sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Croissants and Chocolate: Place the chopped mini croissant pieces evenly into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the croissants to distribute pockets of melted chocolate throughout the bake.
- Prepare Custard Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing continuously until well combined. Finally, add the milk and continue mixing until the custard mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants and chocolate chips in the pan, ensuring all pieces are saturated. Let the mixture stand for 20 minutes at room temperature to allow the croissants to soak up the custard. Alternatively, cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight for a more thorough soak.
- Bake the Dish: Place the uncovered pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the custard is set in the center and the top is lightly golden. A knife inserted in the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Serve Warm: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy this rich and comforting breakfast bake warm for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Room temperature cream cheese mixes more smoothly and prevents lumps in the custard mixture.
- Allowing the bake to sit overnight helps the croissants absorb the custard completely, enhancing the texture.
- You can substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate or white chocolate depending on your preference.
- For a nutty twist, consider sprinkling chopped nuts such as almonds or pecans on top before baking.
- This dish can be reheated gently in the microwave or oven; cover to prevent drying out.
Keywords: chocolate croissant bake, breakfast casserole, custard bake, chocolate chip breakfast, sweet breakfast casserole
