Description
Berry Croissant Bake delivers a luxurious breakfast experience where flaky French pastry meets sweet summer berries. Creamy custard nestles croissant pieces and juicy strawberries into a delightful morning treat perfect for weekend gatherings with friends.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large croissants, broken into small pieces
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) sliced strawberries
- ½ cup (75 grams) blueberries
- ½ cup (60 grams) raspberries
Dairy and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 block (8 ounces / 225 grams) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) milk
- 2 large eggs
Sweetening and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ⅔ cup (133 grams) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the baking vessel by coating a 9 x 9-inch dish with non-stick spray, ensuring complete coverage.
- Distribute torn croissant fragments uniformly across the dish’s base, creating an even layer of pastry.
- Scatter a vibrant medley of mixed berries – strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries – atop the croissant pieces, ensuring balanced distribution.
- Utilize an electric mixer to whip cream cheese until achieving a light, airy consistency, breaking down any potential lumps.
- Gradually incorporate granulated sugar, whole milk, farm-fresh eggs, and fragrant vanilla extract into the cream cheese mixture, blending until smooth and homogeneous.
- Gently cascade the creamy liquid over the croissant and berry landscape, allowing the mixture to seep between the pastry fragments.
- Refrigerate the assembled dish, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to absorb the custard-like liquid for a minimum of 15 minutes and up to 14 hours.
- Remove from refrigeration and transfer to a preheated oven set at 350°F (175°C).
- Bake until the top transforms into a golden-brown canvas with a set, slightly firm center, approximately 35-40 minutes.
- Once completed, dust with powdered sugar and drizzle with maple syrup if desired, serving while still warm for optimal texture and flavor experience.
Notes
- Prep Ahead Magic: This delightful breakfast casserole can be assembled the night before, making morning meal preparation a breeze.
- Berry Bliss: Mixed berries add bursts of juicy flavor and vibrant color to the creamy croissant base.
- Cream Cheese Dream: The smooth, rich cream cheese mixture creates a luscious custard-like texture that elevates this simple dish.
- Flexible Chilling: You can refrigerate the assembled dish from 15 minutes up to 14 hours, perfect for busy mornings or make-ahead entertaining.
- Serving Suggestion: A light dusting of powdered sugar or drizzle of maple syrup transforms this bake into an irresistible breakfast treat.
- Golden Rule: Watch for a beautiful golden-brown top and set center when baking to ensure perfect texture and doneness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 23 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 100 mg