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French Toast Casserole with Croissants

French Toast Casserole with Croissants

A cozy and crowd-pleasing breakfast casserole featuring buttery, flaky day-old croissants soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard, baked to golden perfection. Easy to prepare ahead for stress-free mornings, customizable with fruits, nuts, or dairy alternatives, and perfect for family, friends, or special occasions.

  • Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes to overnight soaking plus baking
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Croissants

  • 6–8 day-old croissants, cut into 2-inch chunks

Custard

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon salt

Optional

  • 2 tablespoons butter, cut into small pieces (for dotting on top before baking)
  • Fresh berries, chocolate chips, chopped nuts, or maple syrup for serving or mixing in (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Croissants: Cut your day-old croissants into roughly 2-inch chunks, then spread them evenly in a greased baking dish so every piece can soak up the custard perfectly.
  2. Mix the Custard: Whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth and well combined. This custard mixture forms the flavorful and creamy base of the casserole.
  3. Combine and Soak: Pour the custard evenly over the croissant pieces, pressing gently to help them absorb the liquid. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the bread to soften and the flavors to meld.
  4. Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature for about 20 minutes. Dot with butter pieces if using. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes or until the top is golden brown and the custard is fully set.
  5. Serve and Enjoy: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving. Add your favorite toppings such as fresh fruit, powdered sugar, whipped cream, or maple syrup, then serve warm and delight in every bite!

Notes

  • Use stale or day-old croissants to ensure better custard absorption without sogginess.
  • Let the casserole soak overnight for intensified flavor and perfect texture.
  • Bring casserole to room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking.
  • Don’t skip dotting with butter before baking to get a golden, crispy crust.
  • If the top browns too fast, loosely cover with foil halfway through baking to avoid burning.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of casserole)
  • Calories: 410
  • Sugar: 20g
  • Sodium: 230mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 14g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0.5g
  • Carbohydrates: 32g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 9g
  • Cholesterol: 215mg

Keywords: French toast casserole, croissant French toast, brunch casserole, make ahead breakfast, cinnamon vanilla custard, easy breakfast bake