Description
Family recipes often include this berry croissant bake that combines sweet pastry with juicy berries. Creamy custard and flaky croissants create a delightful breakfast casserole you’ll savor with pure comfort and joy.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large croissants, broken into small pieces
- 1 cup / 240 ml sliced strawberries
- ½ cup / 75 g blueberries
- ½ cup / 60 g raspberries
- 1 block / 8 oz / 225 g cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup / 180 ml milk
- 2 large eggs
- ⅔ cup / 133 g granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Coat a 9 x 9-inch baking dish thoroughly with non-stick spray, creating a smooth surface for the croissant bake.
- Base Layer: Tear croissants into uniform pieces and spread evenly across the dish’s bottom, creating a rustic pastry foundation.
- Berry Arrangement: Generously distribute strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries over the croissant layer, ensuring a colorful and balanced coverage.
- Cream Mixture: Whip cream cheese until silky smooth, then blend in granulated sugar, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract until the mixture becomes a uniform, velvety liquid.
- Layering: Pour the creamy mixture over the croissants and berries, allowing it to permeate the pastry fragments and create a custard-like base.
- Chilling: Refrigerate the assembled dish for a minimum of 15 minutes or up to 14 hours, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to absorb the liquid.
- Baking: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and bake the dish until the top turns a golden-brown hue and the center sets firmly, approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Finishing Touches: Once baked, dust with powdered sugar and optionally drizzle with maple syrup, serving warm to maximize texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Strategically: Refrigerate the assembled dish for up to 14 hours, allowing flavors to develop and making it perfect for make-ahead breakfast or brunch.
- Maximize Berry Potential: Use fresh, ripe berries for the most vibrant flavor and visual appeal; mix different varieties for complex taste and color.
- Achieve Perfect Texture: Let the custard mixture thoroughly soak into croissant pieces before baking, ensuring a creamy, rich interior with a golden-brown top.
- Serving Pro Tip: Serve immediately after baking while warm to enjoy the optimal contrast between crispy edges and soft, custardy center.
- Prep Time: 15min
- Cook Time: 35-40min
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 19 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 95 mg