Description

This Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake is a deliciously indulgent breakfast casserole featuring chopped mini croissants soaked in a creamy mixture of cream cheese, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk, studded with semi-sweet chocolate morsels. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a rich and comforting treat perfect for a special breakfast or brunch.

Ingredients

Scale

Croissants and Chocolate

10 to 13 ounces mini croissants, chopped
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels

Custard Mixture

2 blocks (8 ounces each) cream cheese, at room temperature
1⅓ cups sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups milk

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
Arrange Croissants and Chocolate: Place the chopped mini croissants evenly in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate morsels uniformly over the croissants.
Mix Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk the cream cheese at room temperature until smooth. Gradually mix in the sugar, then add the eggs and vanilla extract, stirring until well combined. Finally, incorporate the milk, mixing until the custard mixture is smooth.
Pour Custard Over Croissants: Evenly pour the cream cheese custard mixture over the croissants and chocolate, ensuring that all pieces are thoroughly covered and soaked.
Rest the Bake: Let the mixture rest for 20 minutes at room temperature, allowing the croissants to absorb the custard. Alternatively, you can refrigerate it overnight for a deeper soak and more pronounced flavor.
Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the center is fully set and the top is lightly golden.
Serve Warm: Remove from the oven and serve the bake warm for the best taste and texture.

Notes

You can refrigerate the assembled dish overnight to enhance the custard absorption and flavor.
For extra richness, use whole milk or substitute with half-and-half.
Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature to create a smooth custard mixture.
Use semi-sweet chocolate morsels for a balanced sweetness; dark or milk chocolate can also be used based on preference.
Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in the oven or microwave.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 to 40 minutes
Category: Breakfast Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate croissant bake, breakfast casserole, custard bake, chocolate breakfast, cream cheese custard