Are you looking for a breakfast recipe that feels wonderfully indulgent but is astonishingly easy to prepare? A dish that will fill your kitchen with a divine aroma, drawing everyone to the table in eager anticipation? Your search is over. We are delighted to share our spectacular Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe, which elevates simple croissants into a luxurious, custard-drenched bake, complete with pools of molten chocolate.

This recipe is far more than just a meal; it’s a moment of pure comfort and joy. It is the perfect solution for unhurried weekend mornings, celebratory brunches, and particularly for those cherished festive occasions. Picture yourself on Christmas morning, placing this pre-assembled bake into the oven and relaxing with a warm drink as it turns golden and puffy. It’s one of our most treasured christmas breakfast ideas because it offers exceptional taste and warmth with very little effort on the day. Let’s begin creating a breakfast that will feature in your daydreams for a long time to come.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Impressively Simple: This bake has the look and taste of something from a high-end patisserie, yet it requires only about 15 minutes of hands-on work. It’s our secret weapon for impressing guests without any of the usual stress.
• Ideal for Make-Ahead Mornings: You can put the entire dish together the evening before. This gives the croissants ample time to absorb the rich, vanilla-infused custard, leading to a more delicious and uniformly cooked bake. Just wake up, and it’s ready for the oven!
• Wonderfully Adaptable: While it is exquisite as is, this recipe is easy to customise. Feel free to add a dash of cinnamon, a handful of fresh berries, or a sprinkling of toasted nuts. It serves as an excellent foundation for your own creative touches.
• Pure Comfort in a Dish: Fluffy, buttery croissants, a soft, creamy custard filling, and pockets of gooey, melted dark chocolate—what could be more delightful? It is truly like a warm hug in a dish.
• A Genius Way to Use Leftovers: This bake is the ideal way to give a new lease of life to day-old croissants that are no longer at their peak. In fact, they absorb the custard even better than freshly baked ones!

Ingredients

• 6–8 large all-butter croissants, preferably a day or two old
• 150g good-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), roughly chopped
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 500ml whole milk
• 150ml double cream
• 80g caster sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 50g unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp light brown soft sugar
• Icing sugar, for dusting (optional)
• Fresh berries, to serve (optional)

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Chocolate Croissant Bake

We have outlined this recipe in straightforward, easy-to-follow stages. By following our guide, you are sure to achieve a beautifully puffed, golden, and delectable breakfast bake every time. It’s a wonderful recipe to make with the family, so feel free to let children help with tearing and arranging the croissants.

Step 1: Prepare the Croissants and Baking Dish

1. First, lightly butter a 2-litre (around 20x30cm or 9×13 inch) baking dish.
2. Tear the croissants into generous, bite-sized chunks. We find that tearing creates lovely, uneven surfaces that are perfect for soaking up the custard.
3. Place half of the croissant pieces into the base of your prepared dish, forming a single layer. Distribute half of the chopped dark chocolate evenly over them.
4. Add the rest of the croissant pieces on top, tucking them in to cover any gaps, then scatter the remaining chocolate over the second layer.

Step 2: Make the Vanilla Custard

1. In a large mixing bowl or jug, whisk the eggs with the caster sugar until they are fully incorporated and have turned a slightly paler shade.
2. Carefully whisk in the whole milk, double cream, vanilla extract, and salt until you have a smooth, silky liquid. Avoid over-mixing, as the goal is to combine the ingredients without creating excess foam.

Step 3: Assemble and Soak

1. Pour the custard mixture slowly and evenly over the croissants and chocolate. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down on the top layer, encouraging the pieces to absorb the liquid.
2. Now, you have a choice. For the most delicious outcome, cover the dish with cling film and refrigerate it for a minimum of 4 hours, or ideally overnight. This extended soaking time ensures the croissants become fully saturated, yielding a creamier final texture. If time is short, let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before baking.

Step 4: Bake to Perfection

1. When you are ready to bake, preheat your oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4).
2. Take the dish out of the fridge and remove the cling film.
3. In a separate small bowl, combine the melted butter with the light brown soft sugar. Drizzle this sweet mixture all over the top of the bake. This step is key to achieving a wonderfully crisp, caramelised crust.
4. Put the dish into the hot oven and bake for 35–45 minutes. The croissant bake is done when it has puffed up, turned a beautiful golden brown, and the custard in the centre is just set. A skewer inserted into the middle should emerge mostly clean.
5. Allow the bake to stand for at least 10 minutes before serving. This resting period helps the custard to set further, which makes for neater slicing and serving.

Tips, Tricks, and Variations

We want your experience with this recipe to be a complete success. Below are some of our best tips, along with a few creative variations for you to explore.

Top Tips for Success

• Use Stale Croissants: This is our most important piece of advice! Croissants that are a day or two old are drier and act like a sponge, soaking up the custard beautifully without becoming overly soft. If you only have fresh ones, simply tear them up and let them air-dry on a tray for a couple of hours.
• Don’t Scrimp on Chocolate: Choose a high-quality dark chocolate that you would be happy to eat by itself, as its flavour is a key component of the dish. We suggest a chocolate with around 70% cocoa solids for a rich taste that wonderfully offsets the sweetness of the custard. For guidance on chocolate selection, resources from experts like Callebaut can be very helpful.
• Check for Doneness: The performance of ovens can differ. To see if your bake is ready, give the dish a little jiggle. It should have a slight wobble in the middle but should not appear liquid.

Flavour Variations

• Fruity Twist: Introduce a layer of fresh raspberries, sliced bananas, or tart cherries between the croissant layers for a delightful fruity zing.
• Zesty & Spiced: Add the zest from one large orange and half a teaspoon of ground cinnamon to your custard mix for a beautifully festive fragrance and flavour.
• Nutty Crunch: For extra texture, sprinkle a handful of toasted pecans, flaked almonds, or chopped hazelnuts over the top with the brown sugar.
• Chocolate Overload: For the ultimate chocolate lover’s treat, use a combination of dark, milk, and white chocolate chunks.

Perfect for Christmas Brunch and Beyond

This chocolate croissant bake stands out as one of the most adaptable christmas brunch ideas. Being able to prepare it in advance frees up precious time on the day itself, while its comforting, decadent flavour is precisely what everyone desires during the festive period. Serve it warm, straight from the oven, with a gentle dusting of icing sugar and a side of fresh berries to provide a stunning splash of colour.

If you are coordinating a larger brunch or holiday feast, this sweet bake serves as a magnificent centrepiece. It complements savoury dishes beautifully, helping to create a balanced meal. It can be part of a day of wonderful food; for example, a light yet flavourful main course like our Bruschetta Chicken offers a fresh contrast. Likewise, if you need a simple yet fulfilling dinner after a rich brunch, our Garlic Butter Chicken And Veggies is an excellent option.

FAQ

A Breakfast Worth Waking Up For

And there you have it—our simple, sophisticated, and absolutely scrumptious Chocolate Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe. It is a dish that is guaranteed to add a touch of luxury to your breakfast table, whether you’re celebrating a special day or simply indulging in a weekend treat. The blend of soft, custardy croissants with rich, melted chocolate is a truly heavenly combination.

We truly hope you enjoy both making and savouring this recipe as much as we do. It has proven to be a dependable favourite that always gets a warm reception. Why not give it a go for your next family breakfast or festive get-together? We would love to hear how it goes for you in the comments section below. Happy baking!

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Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 35-45 mins
Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 6–8 large all-butter croissants, preferably a day or two old
• 150g good-quality dark chocolate (at least 70% cocoa), roughly chopped
• 4 large free-range eggs
• 500ml whole milk
• 150ml double cream
• 80g caster sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 50g unsalted butter, melted
• 2 tbsp light brown soft sugar
• Icing sugar, for dusting (optional)

Instructions

1. Lightly butter a 2-litre (approx. 20x30cm or 9×13 inch) baking dish.
2. Tear croissants into chunks. Layer half the croissants in the dish, top with half the chopped chocolate. Repeat with the remaining croissants and chocolate.
3. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs and caster sugar. Then, whisk in the milk, double cream, vanilla, and salt until smooth.
4. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants, pressing gently to help them soak.
5. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight for the best texture.
6. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C Fan / Gas Mark 4).
7. In a small bowl, mix the melted butter and light brown sugar. Drizzle this mixture over the top of the bake.
8. Bake for 35-45 minutes until golden, puffed, and the center is just set.
9. Let the bake rest for at least 10 minutes before serving. Dust with icing sugar, if desired.

Nutrition (per serving, approx.):
Calories: 607 kcal,
Carbs: 36 g,
Protein: 12 g,
Fat: 34 g