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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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)
Instructions
- Dish Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 9 x 13 inches casserole dish with unsalted butter to prevent adherence.
- Cream Cheese Mixture: Whip cream cheese into a light, airy consistency, gently incorporating powdered sugar until smooth and uniform.
- Custard Creation: Blend whole milk, vanilla extract, eggs, dark brown sugar, cinnamon, and kosher salt in a large mixing bowl until completely integrated.
- 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.
- Final Preparation: Pour remaining milk mixture over the casserole, ensuring complete absorption, and top with remaining strawberry slices and delicate butter slivers.
- Chilling Process: Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a minimum of 60 minutes, preferably overnight, to enhance flavor complexity.
- 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.
- 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