Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Casserole Recipe
A decadent Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Casserole combining flaky croissant pieces, creamy cream cheese, rich chocolate chips, and a custard-like filling. Perfect for a special breakfast or brunch, this make-ahead casserole bakes to a warm, indulgent treat that’s both easy to prepare and delightfully comforting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Breakfast Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Croissant Base
- 12 ounces Croissants – mini or regular from bakery, chopped into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Custard Mixture
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened (2 – 8-ounce packages)
- 1⅓ cups Granulated sugar
- 4 Large Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla extract
- 2 cups Milk (16 ounces)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly spray the bottom and sides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Arrange Croissants and Chocolate Chips: Evenly spread the chopped croissant pieces in the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the croissants to ensure every bite has some sweet chocolate.
- Beat Cream Cheese: In a medium bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy, making sure there are no lumps.
- Add Sugar: Gradually add the granulated sugar to the cream cheese and continue beating until the mixture is smooth. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the cream cheese evenly.
- Incorporate Eggs and Vanilla: Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Beat until the mixture is fully combined and smooth.
- Mix in Milk: Slowly beat in the milk until the custard mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Combine and Soak: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces and chocolate chips in the baking dish. Allow the casserole to stand for 20 minutes at room temperature for the croissants to soak up the custard. Alternatively, cover and refrigerate overnight for a deeper soak.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden.
- Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Optionally, add a dollop of whipped cream on top for extra indulgence.
Notes
- You can prepare the casserole the night before and refrigerate to save time on the day of serving.
- Mini croissants or regular-sized croissants both work well; adjust the chopping size accordingly.
- Use full-fat milk for the best creamy texture in the custard mixture.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute cream cheese and milk with plant-based alternatives.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated in the oven or microwave.
