Croissant French Toast Bake with Berries
Layered with halved croissants and mixed berries, this French toast bake delivers a moist, custardy texture enriched by half and half and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. The addition of strawberries and blueberries both inside and atop the casserole adds bursts of freshness and color. The recipe involves soaking the croissants in an egg and milk mixture before baking until puffed and golden, resulting in a comforting breakfast or brunch dish. It pairs well with optional whipped cream and a rum-flavored maple syrup that imparts a subtle depth to the sweetness.
Ingredients
French Toast
- 8 large croissants , cut in half lengthwise
- 2 cups half and half or whole milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract pure
- 6 large egg
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar , lightly packed
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 cup strawberries , cut into 3/4- to 1-inch pieces
- 1 cup blueberries
- powdered sugar , for dusting baked casserole
- Whipped Cream for serving (optional, lightly sweetened
Rum Maple Syrup
- 1 cup pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon dark rum
Instructions
Make the French Toast
- Butter a 4- to 5-quart rectangular or oval baking dish. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together half and half (or milk), vanilla, eggs, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Dip croissant halves into mixture until fully coated.
- Arrange croissants into prepared casserole, overlapping. Pour the remaining milk and egg mixture over the casserole, gently pressing to absorb.
- Tuck about 3/4 cup (total) of strawberries and blueberries between the croissant layers. Sprinkle the remaining berries over the top of the casserole. Cover the dish with plastic wrap (or the lid, if using a lidded baker), and refrigerate for at least 2 and up to 8 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove casserole from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking and let stand at room temperature. If you used plastic wrap, uncover, and discard wrap.
- Bake 30 minutes, covered with foil or the baking pan lid. Remove cover and bake an additional 15-20 minutes, until puffed and golden. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar, cut into wedges, and serve with whipped cream and/or maple syrup.
Make the Rum Maple Syrup
- Warm maple syrup. Stir in rum and drizzle over baked french toast wedges.
Nutrition Information
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 513
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 0.125recipe | |
| Calories | 513kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 74g | 25% |
| Protein | 12g | 24% |
| Fat | 18g | 28% |
| Saturated Fat | 9g | 45% |
| Cholesterol | 185mg | 62% |
| Sodium | 432mg | 18% |
| Potassium | 370mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 50g | 100% |
| Vitamin A | 760IU | 15% |
| Vitamin C | 12.5mg | 14% |
| Calcium | 186mg | 19% |
| Iron | 2.1mg | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.