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French Toast Casserole with Croissants

French Toast Casserole with Croissants

French Toast Casserole with Croissants is a cozy, buttery breakfast dish featuring day-old croissants soaked in a rich cinnamon-spiced custard, baked to golden perfection with a crisp top and creamy center. Easy to prepare ahead and customizable with fruits or nuts, this casserole offers warm, comforting flavors ideal for breakfast or brunch.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 60 minutes (including soaking time)
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 day-old croissants, cut into 1–2 inch pieces
  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Optional Toppings

  • Maple syrup, for drizzling
  • Powdered sugar, for dusting
  • Fresh berries or sliced fruits (berries, bananas, apples, pears)
  • Chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, almonds)
  • Chocolate chips or melted chocolate drizzle

Dairy-Free Variation

  • Almond milk (1 cup) instead of milk
  • Coconut cream (1 cup) instead of heavy cream

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Croissants: Slice the day-old croissants into 1 to 2-inch pieces. Place them evenly in a buttered casserole dish to form a fluffy base that will soak up the custard.
  2. Make the Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and nutmeg until smooth and fragrant.
  3. Assemble the Casserole: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces, pressing gently with a spatula to ensure thorough soaking. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best results.
  4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Before baking, dot the top with small pieces of butter to promote browning and crispness. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 45–50 minutes, or until the top is golden and the custard is set but still soft inside.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Add optional toppings like fresh fruit, maple syrup, or powdered sugar for an elegant brunch presentation.

Notes

  • Use day-old croissants rather than fresh to avoid a soggy casserole.
  • Soaking the casserole overnight intensifies flavor and texture.
  • Butter on top before baking creates a crispy, caramelized crust.
  • Do not overbake; the interior should remain creamy.
  • Add extra spices like cardamom or ginger for a unique flavor twist.
  • Substitute plant-based milks and creams for a dairy-free version.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: French-American
  • Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free croissants)

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8th of casserole)
  • Calories: 420
  • Sugar: 15g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 190mg

Keywords: French toast casserole, croissant casserole, breakfast casserole, make-ahead breakfast, brunch recipe, cinnamon custard, buttery croissants