If you love waking up to a warm, comforting breakfast that’s both indulgent and easy to prepare, then you are absolutely going to adore this Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe. It’s the perfect way to transform day-old croissants into a luscious, custardy delight that combines the buttery flakiness of croissants with pockets of gooey semi-sweet chocolate chips. Every bite feels like a decadent morning hug, making it an irresistible choice for weekend brunches or special occasions. This bake is sure to become a favorite in your breakfast rotation, promising rich flavors and a satisfying texture that’s simply unforgettable.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are straightforward yet essential, working together beautifully to create the perfect balance of fluffy, sweet, and chocolatey in this dish. Each component plays a vital role — the croissants provide that flaky, buttery foundation, the chocolate chips add a melty surprise, and the custard mixture binds everything into a perfectly soft, creamy bake.
- 5 large day-old croissants: Using day-old croissants gives the bake structure and helps them soak up the custard without falling apart.
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips: For delightful bursts of rich, melty chocolate throughout the bake.
- 2 cups whole milk: Whole milk adds creaminess and richness to the custard base.
- 4 large eggs: Eggs help set the custard, giving the bake its soft, pudding-like texture.
- ½ cup granulated sugar: Balances the richness with just the right amount of sweetness.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds a warm, fragrant note that enhances the overall flavor.
- ¼ teaspoon salt: A pinch of salt helps elevate and balance the sweet elements.
How to Make Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray to prevent sticking and ensure your bake lifts out easily once it’s done. This small step is key to perfecting your bake texture and makes cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Layer the Croissants and Chocolate Chips
Evenly spread out the 1-inch pieces of day-old croissants in your greased baking dish. Then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the croissant pieces. This layering is what creates those irresistible pockets of melted chocolate that’ll surprise you with every bite.
Step 3: Mix the Custard
In a separate bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Keep whisking until the mixture is completely smooth and uniform; this custard will soak into the croissants, giving the bake its soft, luscious texture.
Step 4: Pour Custard Over Croissants
Slowly pour the custard mixture over the croissant and chocolate chip layers, making sure every piece is covered. Gently press the croissants down with a spatula or the back of a spoon so they can soak up as much of the custard as possible. This helps to infuse every bite with delicious richness.
Step 5: Let It Soak
Patience here is a virtue! Let the dish sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. This allows the croissant pieces to fully absorb the custard mixture, ensuring an ultra-tender and custardy result once baked.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Place the uncovered baking dish into your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’re looking for a golden-brown top that’s puffed and slightly crisp around the edges. If the top starts to brown too quickly before the middle is set, lightly cover the dish with foil to prevent burning.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
Once baked to perfection, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Serve it warm for the best gooey texture. If you like, dust with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh berries for an extra touch of elegance and flavor—the perfect finishing touches to your Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe.
How to Serve Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe
Garnishes
Simple garnishes like a dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh berries—strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries—bring color and a fresh tartness that balances the sweet, rich custard. A drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of whipped cream can also elevate this bake to brunch-star status.
Side Dishes
This bake pairs wonderfully with light, crisp sides to offset its richness. A fresh fruit salad, a green smoothie, or even some crispy bacon or sausage links add variety in texture and flavor to round out your breakfast spread.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve individual portions in ramekins or mason jars, layering croissant pieces and chocolate chips with custard. You can also sprinkle chopped nuts or coconut flakes on top before baking for added crunch and flair. Presenting it family-style in the baking dish with a colorful serving spatula invites sharing and cozy conversation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled completely, cover your leftovers tightly with plastic wrap or transfer portions to an airtight container. Stored in the refrigerator, your Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe remains delicious for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making leftovers a fantastic “second-day” treat.
Freezing
You can freeze this breakfast bake either before or after baking. To freeze unbaked, assemble the dish, cover tightly with foil and plastic wrap, and freeze for up to 2 months. When ready, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bake as directed. For baked leftovers, wrap portions well in plastic wrap and foil to prevent freezer burn, then reheat directly from frozen or after thawing.
Reheating
Reheat individual pieces in the microwave for 30-60 seconds or warm slices in a 325°F oven wrapped loosely in foil to preserve moisture. Reheating gently ensures your Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe stays soft and custardy, just like the first bite.
FAQs
Can I use fresh croissants for this bake?
While fresh croissants can work, day-old croissants are preferred because they hold up better when soaked in custard, preventing the bake from becoming too soggy.
Can I substitute the chocolate chips with something else?
Absolutely! You can swap chocolate chips for butterscotch chips, chopped nuts, dried fruit, or even fresh berries to create exciting variations.
Is there a dairy-free alternative for the milk?
Yes, unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk can be used, but keep in mind this may slightly alter the richness and texture of the custard.
How do I make this recipe vegan?
To veganize it, replace croissants with a vegan alternative, use plant-based milk, and swap eggs with a commercial egg replacer or a flaxseed “egg” mixture. The texture will differ but can still be delightful!
Can this be made gluten-free?
Yes, if you use gluten-free croissants and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free, you can enjoy this bake without gluten. Just be sure to check labels carefully.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing quite like the cozy feeling of a Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe fresh from the oven. It’s a soul-warming dish that combines simplicity and indulgence in such an effortless way. Whether you’re cooking for family, friends, or just treating yourself, this bake promises comfort and joy in every bite. I can’t wait for you to try it and see just how magical leftover croissants can become when transformed into this heavenly breakfast treat!
Print
Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Croissant Breakfast Bake with Chocolate Chips is a decadent yet simple dish perfect for brunch or a special breakfast treat. Day-old croissants are layered with semi-sweet chocolate chips and soaked in a rich custard mixture, then baked to golden perfection, resulting in a warm, custardy, and chocolatey delight that’s easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 5 large day-old croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups whole milk
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
- Layer croissants and chocolate chips: Evenly distribute the croissant pieces in the prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips over them to create pockets of melted chocolate throughout the bake.
- Mix custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the whole milk, eggs, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming a rich custard base.
- Pour custard over croissants: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces, gently pressing the croissants down so they soak up the custard thoroughly for maximum flavor and moisture.
- Let soak: Allow the mixture to sit for 10-15 minutes so the croissants absorb the custard fully, resulting in a tender and moist bake.
- Bake: Place the uncovered dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden brown and puffed. If the bake browns too quickly, lightly cover with foil to prevent burning.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let cool slightly. Serve warm, optionally dusted with powdered sugar and garnished with fresh berries for an elegant presentation and added flavor.
Notes
- Using day-old croissants allows them to better absorb the custard without becoming too soggy.
- Feel free to substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark or milk chocolate based on preference.
- If you don’t have whole milk, 2% milk can be used but whole milk provides a richer custard.
- The bake can be prepared the night before and refrigerated overnight before baking.
- To keep the top from burning, tent loosely with foil during the last 10-15 minutes if needed.
- Serving with fresh berries and a dusting of powdered sugar adds freshness and sweetness balance.
