Description
Luxurious Croissant Baked French Toast brings French bakery magic right to breakfast tables, melding buttery layers with rich cream cheese and sweet strawberries. Crisp exterior and silky interior promise pure morning indulgence you won’t want to miss.
Ingredients
Scale
Breads and Fruits:
- 6 large croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1.5 cups (225 g) fresh strawberries, sliced
Dairy and Eggs:
- 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, cubed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) milk
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
Sweeteners and Spices:
- 0.5 cup (100 g) granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 0.5 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 0.5 cup (75 g) powdered sugar (for dusting)
Optional Serving Ingredients:
- Maple syrup (optional, for serving)
- Whipped cream (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by generously coating a 9×13-inch dish with butter or cooking spray. Create a foundational layer using half of the torn croissant pieces, spreading them evenly across the bottom.
- Delicately scatter fresh strawberry chunks and cream cheese cubes over the first croissant layer. Construct a secondary layer by repeating the process with remaining croissants, strawberries, and cream cheese, creating a textured mosaic of ingredients.
- Craft the luxurious custard base by whisking eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, fragrant vanilla extract, and warm cinnamon in a spacious mixing bowl until the mixture transforms into a silky, uniform liquid.
- Gently cascade the custard mixture over the layered croissant and strawberry landscape, using gentle pressure to ensure complete ingredient saturation. Envelop the dish with plastic wrap and allow it to rest and absorb flavors in the refrigerator for a minimum of two hours, or ideally overnight.
- Remove the casserole from refrigeration and permit it to equilibrate to room temperature for approximately 20 minutes. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F, positioning the rack in the center.
- Slide the unburdened casserole into the preheated oven, allowing it to bake for 40-45 minutes until the surface achieves a golden-bronze hue and the custard sets with a gentle firmness.
- After removing from the oven, permit the dish to cool momentarily. Dust with a delicate veil of powdered sugar and serve while still warm, accompanied by maple syrup, billowy whipped cream, or additional fresh strawberries as desired.
Notes
- Choose day-old croissants for better absorption of the custard mixture, preventing a soggy texture and enhancing the overall richness of the dish.
- Gently press down on the croissant layers to ensure even custard distribution, creating a more consistent and delectable baked French toast.
- For a lighter version, substitute whole milk with almond or oat milk and use reduced-fat cream cheese to cut down on calories without compromising flavor.
- Customize the recipe by swapping strawberries with seasonal berries like blueberries or mixed berries for a delightful variation that keeps the dish exciting and fresh.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 25 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 150 mg