Flaky Croissant French Toast: A Golden Breakfast Recipe

Wake up to a golden, buttery croissant baked French toast that turns lazy mornings into culinary celebrations.

Flaky layers of pastry soak up a rich, vanilla-infused custard that promises pure breakfast decadence.

Weekend brunch reaches new heights with this simple yet elegant dish.

Each bite melts in your mouth, blending crisp edges with a tender, custardy center.

The aroma will draw everyone to the kitchen, eager to dive into this irresistible morning treat.

Minimal effort yields maximum flavor, making this recipe a breakfast game-changer you’ll want to master.

Grab your skillet and get ready to impress with the most delightful breakfast sensation.

What Goes Into Croissant Baked French Toast

• Croissant: Provides a rich, buttery foundation with flaky texture that absorbs custard beautifully.
• Milk: Creates a silky custard base that ensures moist and tender baked French toast.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients together and adds luxurious richness to the dish.
• Vanilla: Infuses warm, aromatic sweetness throughout the recipe.

• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and helps create golden-brown coloration.
• Cinnamon: Brings warm, comforting spice that complements the sweet ingredients.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and amplifies overall flavor profile.

• Cream Cheese: Provides tangy, smooth texture and richness.
• Confectioners' Sugar: Softens cream cheese and adds delicate sweetness.
• Strawberries: Introduces fresh, bright flavor and beautiful color contrast.
• Butter: Enhances golden crispness and adds luxurious flavor.
• Maple Syrup: Offers classic breakfast sweetness for serving.
• Powdered Sugar: Creates elegant finishing touch with delicate sweetness.

Tools for Croissant French Toast Baking

• Hand mixer: Essential for whipping cream cheese to soft, fluffy perfection.
• Large mixing bowl: Perfect for whisking milk mixture with eggs and spices.
• Medium mixing bowl: Great for preparing cream cheese filling.
• 9×13 casserole dish: Key for layering and baking the croissant French toast.
• Whisk: Helps blend ingredients smoothly and evenly.
• Cutting board: Useful for slicing strawberries and butter.
• Sharp knife: Needed for precise cutting of croissants and ingredients.
• Plastic wrap: Covers dish during refrigeration.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
• Spatula: Helps spread cream cheese and arrange ingredients.

Cooking Croissant Baked French Toast

• Creamy Cheese Base

Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, blending in sweet powdered sugar to create a luscious spread that will melt hearts.

• Milk Magic Mixture

Create a dreamy liquid bath with milk, vanilla, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, and a whisper of salt – the foundation of pure breakfast bliss.

• Croissant Layer Foundation

Dive delicate croissant pieces into the milk mixture, nestling them lovingly in a buttered baking dish, allowing each morsel to soak up the luxurious flavors.

• Strawberry Surprise

Scatter vibrant strawberries between layers, creating pockets of fruity excitement that will dance on taste buds.

• Final Assembly

Pour remaining milk mixture over the layers, gently pressing to ensure every crumb drinks in the delectable liquid. Top with additional strawberries and delicate butter slivers.

• Patience and Preparation

Tuck the dish in the refrigerator for at least an hour, letting flavors mingle and develop their magical connection.

• Baking Transformation

Slide into a preheated oven, watching as golden edges form and aromas fill the kitchen. Bake until perfectly crisp and gloriously golden.

• Finishing Touches

Dust with a snowfall of powdered sugar, slice into inviting wedges, and drizzle with maple syrup for the ultimate breakfast experience.

Variations for Croissant French Toast

• Explore these tasty twists and expert tips to elevate your breakfast experience.
• Replace strawberries with blueberries, raspberries, or mixed berries for a vibrant flavor profile that keeps breakfast exciting.
• Sprinkle chopped pecans or sliced almonds between layers to add a delightful nutty crunch and extra protein boost.
• Prepare the entire dish the night before for stress-free morning entertaining, allowing flavors to meld and deepen overnight.
• Enhance the cream cheese mixture with orange zest, almond extract, or a splash of Grand Marnier for a sophisticated flavor twist that will impress breakfast guests.

Creative Serving for Croissant French Toast

• Elevate Breakfast Presentation: Serve this indulgent French toast on elegant white plates to showcase its golden-brown layers and vibrant strawberries.
• Create Flavor Companions: Pair with crispy bacon strips or a light citrus fruit salad to balance the sweet, creamy texture of the dish.
• Enhance with Toppings: Drizzle extra maple syrup, sprinkle fresh mint leaves, or add a dollop of whipped cream for a luxurious finishing touch.
• Customize Serving Style: Offer individual portions in small cast-iron skillets or rustic ceramic dishes to add a charming, homemade feel to the breakfast experience.

How to Store Croissant Baked French Toast

• Plan Ahead for Deliciousness: Prepare this French toast casserole the night before to let flavors meld and save morning cooking time.
• Refrigerate Wisely: Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap to prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors and maintain the fresh taste.
• Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap the baked and cooled casserole in plastic wrap and aluminum foil, storing it in the freezer for up to 2 weeks for a quick breakfast treat.
• Reheat with Care: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then warm in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until heated through, ensuring crispy edges and warm center.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 339 kcal

Servings: 9

Golden Croissant Baked French Toast Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Homemade breakfast magic shines through this croissant baked French toast with rich custard and caramelized edges. Crisp exterior and silky interior promise delightful morning indulgence you will savor completely.

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Ingredients

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• 10 croissants (medium-sized)
• 6 eggs (large)
• 2 cups milk (or half-and-half)
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 2 cups strawberries
• ¼ cup plus 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• 2 tbsps confectioners’ sugar
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 4 tbsps cold salted butter
• Confectioners’ sugar (for dusting)

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Instructions

1. Dish Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 9 x 13 inches casserole dish with unsalted butter to prevent adherence.
2. Cream Cheese Mixture: Whip cream cheese into a light, airy consistency, gently incorporating powdered sugar until smooth and uniform.
3. Custard Creation: Blend whole milk, vanilla extract, eggs, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl until completely integrated.
4. Layer Assembly: Saturate croissant pieces in the milk mixture, layering them in the prepared dish with strategic overlapping, distributing the whipped cream cheese mixture and scattering three-quarters of the fresh strawberries between the layers.
5. Final Preparation: Pour remaining milk mixture over the casserole, ensuring complete absorption, and top with remaining strawberry slices and delicate butter slivers.
6. Chilling Process: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, preferably overnight, to enhance flavor complexity.
7. Baking Technique: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), remove plastic wrap, and bake for 40-50 minutes until achieving a golden, crisp exterior. Shield edges with aluminum foil if browning too rapidly.
8. Serving Presentation: Rest the French toast for 10 minutes after baking, dust with powdered sugar, and serve with warm maple syrup for an indulgent culinary experience.

Notes

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble the dish the night before to allow ingredients to meld and intensify flavors, creating a more luxurious breakfast experience.
• Moisture Management: Ensure croissants are thoroughly soaked but not disintegrating, using gentle pressing technique to maintain structural integrity.
• Browning Protection: Monitor oven closely and use aluminum foil tent if edges darken too quickly, preventing burnt edges while maintaining perfect golden surface.
• Serving Suggestion: Let French toast rest briefly after baking to allow custard to set and stabilize, ensuring clean, beautiful slices when plated.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 339
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 325 mg
• Fat: 21 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Cholesterol: 165 mg