Blackberry Croissant French Toast Bake is everything you love about classic french toast with berries and cream in a delicious, overnight breakfast casserole.
Course Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 1 hourhour
Refrigeration Time 10 hourshours
Total Time 11 hourshours15 minutesminutes
Servings 4people
Calories 701kcal
Author Tristin Rieken
Ingredients
8ouncescroissants3-4 large
½cupblackberry jam
4ouncescream cheesesoftened
3largeeggs
¾cupwhole milk
½cupgranulated sugar
2tablespoonsconfectioner’s sugarplus more for dusting
½cupblackberriesfresh or frozen
1teaspoonvanilla extract
½teaspooncinnamon powder
¼teaspoonground nutmegoptional
⅛teaspoonfine salt
2tablespoonsbutter
Instructions
Beat room temperature cream cheese with a few tablespoons confectioners’ sugar and a teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
Cut croissants in half lengthwise. Toast cut side up, until crispy under a low broiler or 400 degree oven, about 3-5 minutes. Remove and cool. Smear one half of each croissant with sweetened cream cheese and a bit of blackberry jam. Do not worry too much about even coverage or covering the entire surface. Recombine croissant halves then cut into halves or thirds.
8 ounces croissants, ½ cup blackberry jam
Butter a roughly 8x8" oven safe baking dish and layer croissant pieces in dish.
2 tablespoons butter
Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, salt and spices together to form the cinnamon custard base. Pour over croissants and sprinkle on berries, reserving a few for serving.
3 large eggs, ¾ cup whole milk, ½ cup granulated sugar, ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder, ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg, ⅛ teaspoon fine salt, ½ cup blackberries
Cover french toast bake tightly with buttered foil and refrigerate at least 10 minutes up to 18 hours. It does not have to sit overnight and can be baked after only 10 minutes of soaking. But is best prepared 10 to 18 hours in advance to allow custard mixture to fully soak into croissants and ensure the best texture. Don’t go any longer than 18 hours or risk croissants breaking down too much and becoming a soggy mess.
When ready to serve preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake covered until completely set in the center, 45-50 minutes.
Uncover and continuing baking until golden brown and crispy, 10-15 minutes longer.
Cool at least 5 minutes then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Scoop out individual portions and serve with a smear of blackberry jam and reserved blackberries. Sweetened yogurt or whipped cream optional.