Scrumptious Croissant French Toast Recipe with Berries & Cream

Crisp, buttery croissants elevate this baked french toast to a decadent breakfast masterpiece.

Soft, pillowy layers soak up a rich custard that promises pure morning indulgence.

Ripe strawberries add a burst of freshness to each luxurious bite.

Creamy cheese melts into golden-brown edges, creating a harmony of textures that dance on your palate.

The aroma of vanilla and cinnamon will fill your kitchen with warmth and excitement.

Weekend brunch just got a serious upgrade with this irresistible recipe that turns simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

You won’t be able to resist diving into this heavenly breakfast creation.

Serving Up Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese

• Breakfast Bliss Station: Create a cozy morning setup with warm mugs of coffee, fresh juice, and additional pastries beside the baked French toast.
• Berry Lover's Topping: Sprinkle extra fresh strawberries, add a drizzle of strawberry compote, or mix sliced raspberries and blueberries for vibrant color and flavor.
• Cream Cheese Dream: Add dollops of extra softened cream cheese, create elegant swirls on top, or mix a quick cream cheese glaze with powdered sugar and vanilla extract for added richness.
• Sweet Finishing Touches: Garnish with mint leaves, dust with extra cinnamon, serve with candied pecans, or add a light sprinkle of toasted almond slivers for delightful crunch and texture.

Keeping Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese Fresh

Keep leftover French toast sealed in an airtight container inside the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Enjoy best quality when consumed within 24 hours.

• Freezing Friendly: Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen French toast casserole maintains excellent taste for 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Reheating Rescue: Warm individual servings in microwave for 30-45 seconds or bake in preheated 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. Add fresh strawberries on top to refresh the dish's appearance and flavor.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare entire casserole the night before baking. Complete steps 1-3, cover tightly, and refrigerate. Remove from fridge 20 minutes before baking to reach room temperature, ensuring even cooking and perfect texture.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 3 hours

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 7

What Goes In Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese

• Croissants: Buttery, flaky base that soaks up custard perfectly, choose day-old bakery croissants for best texture.
• Strawberries: Vibrant, sweet fruit that adds fresh burst of flavor, select ripe, deep red berries with no white or green edges.

• Eggs: Creamy binding agent that creates luxurious texture, use fresh room temperature eggs.
• Milk: Smooth liquid providing richness, whole milk recommended for deeper flavor.
• Heavy Cream: Adds decadent silkiness, select high-fat content cream for fuller mouthfeel.
• Sugar: Sweetens and balances flavors, opt for granulated white sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: Aromatic enhancer bringing warm depth, choose pure extract over imitation.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice adding cozy undertone, use freshly ground for most intense flavor.

• Cream Cheese: Tangy, creamy element creating delightful pockets of richness, use full-fat block style.
• Powdered Sugar: Light dusting for elegant presentation, sift for even coverage.
• Maple Syrup: Optional sweet drizzle complementing breakfast flavors, select pure maple syrup for best taste.

Supplies For Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese

• Large bowl: Perfect for whisking custard mixture smoothly and efficiently.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for layering croissants, strawberries, and cream cheese evenly.
• Whisk: Crucial for blending eggs, milk, cream, and seasonings into a smooth custard.
• Plastic wrap: Needed to cover the casserole during refrigeration.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Helpful for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Sharp knife: Useful for cutting croissants and cream cheese into pieces.
• Spatula: Handy for gently pressing down croissants and spreading layers.

Steps To Make Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese

• Layered Foundation

Grab a baking dish and create delicious layers by nestling croissant pieces, scattering fresh strawberries, and dotting creamy cheese cubes. Build two beautiful layers that promise a flavor explosion.

• Dreamy Custard Creation

Whisk together eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon until silky smooth. This magical mixture will transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary breakfast experience.

• Overnight Flavor Infusion

Pour the silky custard over your layered masterpiece, gently pressing to ensure every croissant morsel absorbs the luscious liquid. Cover and let it rest in the refrigerator, allowing flavors to mingle and dance overnight.

• Golden Brown Transformation

Warm your oven to 350F. Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it breathe at room temperature. Bake until the top turns a gorgeous golden brown and the center becomes perfectly set, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

• Decadent Finishing Touches

Dust with powdered sugar and serve while warm. Drizzle maple syrup or add a dollop of whipped cream for an extra indulgent breakfast that feels like pure morning luxury.

Tips And Swaps For Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese

• Bread Selection Magic: Opt for day-old, slightly stale croissants for the best texture. Slightly dry croissants absorb the custard more effectively, creating a richer, more decadent breakfast casserole.
• Make-Ahead Mastery: Prepare the entire dish the night before for a stress-free morning. This overnight rest allows flavors to meld and ensures maximum flavor absorption by the croissants.
• Dairy-Free Delight: Swap heavy cream and milk with coconut milk or almond milk for a lactose-free version. Use dairy-free cream cheese alternative to make the dish completely lactose-free.
• Gluten-Free Twist: Replace croissants with gluten-free brioche or challah bread. Ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free for those with dietary restrictions.
• Berry Bonanza: Experiment with mixed berries like blueberries or raspberries for a colorful and vibrant twist. Frozen berries work well too, just pat them dry before adding to prevent excess moisture.

Dreamy Croissant Baked French Toast With Strawberries And Cream Cheese Recipe

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4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 3 hours
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Heavenly croissant baked French toast blends rich textures with sweet strawberries and creamy cheese. French breakfast lovers will delight in this indulgent morning treat that elevates classic brunch expectations.

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Ingredients

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• 6 large croissants (cut into 1-inch pieces)
• 1.5 cups/225 g fresh strawberries (sliced)
• 8 oz/225 g cream cheese (cubed)
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup/240 ml milk
• 1 cup/240 ml heavy cream
• 0.5 cup/100 g granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 0.5 tsp ground cinnamon
• 0.5 cup/75 g powdered sugar (for dusting)
• maple syrup (optional, for serving)
• whipped cream (optional, for serving)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a base layer with half the torn croissant pieces, ensuring even distribution across the bottom.
2. Layering: Sprinkle strawberry chunks and cream cheese cubes over the initial croissant layer, then add a second layer of croissants, strawberries, and cream cheese to build a textured ingredient mosaic.
3. Custard Creation: Whisk eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and cinnamon in a large bowl until the mixture becomes a smooth, homogeneous liquid.
4. Soaking: Pour the custard over the layered ingredients, gently pressing to ensure complete saturation. Wrap the dish in plastic and refrigerate for at least two hours or overnight for maximum flavor infusion.
5. Temperature Adjustment: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350°F with the rack positioned in the center.
6. Baking: Transfer the dish to the preheated oven, baking for 40-45 minutes until the surface turns golden-bronze and the custard sets with a subtle firmness.
7. Finishing Touches: Allow the baked dish to cool briefly, dust with powdered sugar, and serve warm. Accompany with maple syrup, whipped cream, or additional fresh strawberries as desired.

Notes

• Soak Strategically: Allow croissants to absorb custard thoroughly by refrigerating for at least 2 hours, enabling deeper flavor penetration and ensuring a rich, custardy texture throughout the dish.
• Prevent Soggy Bottoms: Use slightly stale or day-old croissants to absorb liquid more effectively and maintain structural integrity during baking, preventing a mushy consistency.
• Temperature Matters: Let the casserole rest at room temperature before baking to ensure even cooking and prevent cold spots that might result in uneven texture or partial raw sections.
• Customize Creatively: Swap strawberries with seasonal fruits like blueberries or peaches, or add nuts like sliced almonds for extra crunch and personalized flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 550
• Sugar: 34 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 38 g
• Saturated Fat: 22 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 42 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Cholesterol: 150 mg