Description
This Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips is a decadent and comforting morning treat that combines buttery croissants with rich chocolate and a creamy custard. Perfect for brunch or a special weekend breakfast, this dish bakes up golden and custardy, featuring pockets of melted semi-sweet chocolate nestled within soft, custard-soaked croissant pieces.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 5 large day-old croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Custard Mixture
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Layer croissants and chocolate chips: Evenly distribute the croissant pieces in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top to create delicious pockets of melted chocolate throughout the bake.
- Mix custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and completely combined, forming a rich custard base.
- Pour custard over croissants: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces, pressing them gently down to ensure they soak up the custard thoroughly, maximizing moisture and flavor.
- Let soak: Allow the dish to sit for 10-15 minutes so the croissants absorb the custard fully, resulting in a tender and custardy bake.
- Bake: Place the uncovered baking dish in the oven and bake for 45–50 minutes until the top turns golden brown and puffed. If the top browns too quickly, cover lightly with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly, then serve warm. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh berries for an elegant and flavorful presentation.
Notes
- Using day-old croissants helps them soak up the custard better without becoming overly mushy.
- If the bake browns too fast during baking, cover loosely with aluminum foil to avoid burning.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg to the custard mixture if desired.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated gently in the oven or microwave.
- Optional toppings include powdered sugar, fresh berries, or a drizzle of maple syrup.
