Imagine waking up to a warm, gooey, and utterly indulgent morning treat—our Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Recipe is exactly that. This delightful casserole brings together flaky mini croissants, melty semi-sweet chocolate chips, and a luscious cream cheese custard that bakes to golden perfection. It’s like a cozy hug on a plate, perfect for sharing with family or impressing brunch guests with minimal effort but maximum flavor. Trust me, once you try this recipe, it will become your go-to breakfast showstopper!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe calls for simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that come together to create a comforting, rich bake. Each element plays a special role: the buttery croissants provide flaky layers, chocolate chips add sweet bursts of deliciousness, and the cream cheese custard creates the creamy, dreamy texture that holds it all together.
- Mini croissants, 1 package (10 to 13 oz): Chopped croissants provide the flaky, buttery base that soaks up the custard perfectly.
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 cups: These add melty pockets of chocolate that bring a wonderful sweetness.
- Cream cheese, 2 (8-oz) packages, room temperature: Creates a rich, velvety custard when combined with eggs and milk.
- Sugar, 1⅓ cups: Sweetens the custard just right—balance is key for this dessert-like breakfast.
- Large eggs, 4: Bind the custard ingredients together and give structure to the bake.
- Vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons: Adds a warm, comforting aroma and enhances the depth of flavor.
- Milk, 2 cups: Thins the custard, making it pourable so it soaks into the croissants.
How to Make Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly coat a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to ensure your beautiful bake won’t stick and tears won’t happen when serving.
Step 2: Assemble the Base
Scatter the chopped mini croissants evenly across the prepared pan. Then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips on top, making sure every corner gets a fair share of chocolatey goodness. This is the foundation of that irresistible texture you’ll love.
Step 3: Mix Up the Cream Cheese Custard
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese using an electric mixer until it’s smooth and creamy—no lumps here! Gradually add the sugar, then the eggs and vanilla extract, continuing to mix until fully combined. Finally, pour in the milk and give it one last thorough mix. This custard is the magical glue that will soak into the croissants and meld all the flavors together.
Step 4: Combine and Soak
Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants and chocolate chips in the baking pan. Use a spatula or a gentle tap on the pan to help the custard soak deep into all those croissant nooks and crannies.
Step 5: Let It Rest Before Baking
Allow the dish to stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes so the croissants soak up the custard wonderfully. For even better results (and if you have the time), cover the dish and refrigerate it overnight for flavors and texture that will blow you away.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your creation uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes. Look for a lightly golden top and a center that’s fully set. The smells coming from your oven will be impossible to resist!
Step 7: Serve Warm and Enjoy
Remove the bake from the oven and serve it warm for the best flavor and texture experience. This is when the chocolate is perfectly melty and the custard still creamy.
How to Serve Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Recipe
Garnishes
Elevate your serving by adding a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty snowy effect, or a drizzle of pure maple syrup for extra sweetness. Fresh berries like strawberries or raspberries make a lovely, tangy contrast that cuts through the richness.
Side Dishes
Keep it simple with a crisp green salad or serve alongside freshly brewed coffee or tea to balance the decadent flavors. If you want to get fancy, a side of Greek yogurt or whipped cream can add a cool creaminess to each bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Why not serve individual portions in cute ramekins or mini cast iron skillets for charming single servings? You can also sprinkle additional chocolate chips or a handful of toasted nuts on top just before serving for extra texture and eye appeal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, cover your leftover bake tightly with plastic wrap or store it in an airtight container and refrigerate. It will keep well for 3 to 4 days without losing any of its lovely flavor and texture.
Freezing
This bake freezes beautifully! Wrap it tightly with foil and place in a freezer-safe container. It will last for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Reheating
To reheat, warm individual servings in the microwave for about 30 seconds to 1 minute. For a crispier top, reheat in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC) for 10 to 15 minutes, uncovered.
FAQs
Can I use regular croissants instead of mini croissants?
Absolutely! Just chop your regular-sized croissants into bite-sized pieces. The smaller size simply allows for more even layering and soaking.
Is it possible to use cream cheese substitutes?
While cream cheese is ideal for that creamy texture, you can experiment with mascarpone or ricotta cheese. Keep in mind the texture may be slightly different.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, try using dairy-free cream cheese and a plant-based milk alternative like almond or oat milk. The flavor will vary but staying true to the recipe’s spirit is totally doable.
What if I want a less sweet version?
Simply reduce the sugar amount to your preference. You can also swap semi-sweet chocolate chips for dark chocolate chips with higher cocoa content.
How far ahead can I prepare this bake?
Making it the night before is perfect and actually improves the soak! Just keep it covered and refrigerated until baking the next morning.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about the Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Recipe that turns any morning into a celebration. It’s comforting, decadent, and yet surprisingly easy to make. Whether for a holiday brunch or weekend treat, this dish will bring smiles and happy sighs around the table. So go ahead, grab those croissants and whip up this magical bake—your taste buds will thank you!
Print
Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes (or overnight soak + 35-40 minutes bake)
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese is a decadent and delicious brunch recipe featuring mini croissants soaked in a creamy custard with rich chocolate chips. Baked to golden perfection, it’s a perfect make-ahead dish that combines flaky croissant goodness, luscious cream cheese custard, and melty chocolate, ideal for a cozy morning treat or special occasion breakfast.
Ingredients
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
- 1â…“ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk
Instructions
- Prepare Pan: Lightly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC) to ensure it’s ready for baking the dish evenly.
- Assemble Base: Spread the chopped mini croissant pieces evenly in the prepared baking pan and sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips uniformly over the croissants.
- Mix Custard: In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy. Then add sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract, mixing until well blended. Finally, pour in the milk and continue mixing until the custard mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant and chocolate chip layers, making sure all croissants are coated well.
- Rest and Refrigerate: Let the mixture stand at room temperature for 20 minutes so the croissants begin absorbing the custard. For better results, cover and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld thoroughly.
- Bake: Place the uncovered baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the custard is set in the center and the top turns lightly golden brown.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve warm for the best taste and texture experience.
Notes
- For a richer custard, use whole milk or substitute with half-and-half.
- Mini croissants work best because they absorb the custard evenly and offer bite-sized portions.
- Feel free to add chopped nuts or berries for extra texture and flavor.
- This dish can be refrigerated overnight before baking for convenient meal prep.
- To reheat, warm leftovers gently in the oven to maintain crisp edges.
