Description
Indulge in the delightful experience of our Sweet Breakfast Casserole (with Croissants), a perfect blend of buttery croissants, creamy custard, and vibrant mixed berries. This easy-to-make dish is ideal for brunch gatherings or cozy family breakfasts, offering a rich flavor profile that evokes the warmth of a fresh cream cheese Danish. With its zesty lemon glaze, this casserole will surely impress your guests and leave them asking for more. Prep it the night before to enjoy a stress-free morning, making it a wonderful addition to any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 large croissants
- 4 cups mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, blueberries)
- 14 ounces cream cheese
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 6 eggs
- 2 cups half and half
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 teaspoons lemon zest
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 ounces cream cheese (for glaze)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for glaze)
- 1 ½ tablespoons lemon juice (for glaze)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for glaze)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and toast cubed croissants on a baking sheet for 7-10 minutes until golden.
- In a mixing bowl, blend softened cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth. Add eggs, half and half, lemon juice, lemon zest, and salt; mix until combined.
- Layer half of the croissants in a greased baking dish, followed by half of the berries and half of the custard. Repeat layers with remaining ingredients.
- Press down gently on croissants to ensure they are mostly submerged in custard. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Bake covered for 30 minutes; uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes or until set.
- For glaze: Mix softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla until smooth; adjust sweetness if needed.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (about 190g)
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: Use day-old croissants for better custard absorption. Experiment with different berry combinations for unique flavors. Don’t skip the overnight refrigeration for optimal texture.