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If you’re craving something sweet first thing but still want that homemade, comfy feeling, this Chocolate Croissant Bake totally hits the spot. You’ll get to dig into golden, buttery croissants loaded with melty chocolate and a gooey, rich filling. Honestly, every bite makes your regular morning feel extra special—sort of like you’ve teleported to a Paris street café. Try it for any weekend or holiday get-together and watch how fast it disappears.
Once I served this at brunch with my buddies it became the one dish everybody begs for any time the family is around.
Dreamy Ingredients
- Semi sweet chocolate morsels: Go for good quality so you get that deep cocoa flavor. These melt fast and sneak chocolate into every mouthful
- Milk: Whole milk makes things rich, but any milk will do the trick. Keeps the custard nice and light
- Vanilla extract: Adds cozy warmth to all the flavors. Splurge on pure vanilla for max flavor
- Large eggs: Use the freshest eggs you can for the fluffiest result. They hold the whole thing together
- Sugar: Fine granulated mixes in super easy and keeps it just the right kind of sweet
- Cream cheese: Leave it out so it gets totally soft before using. That way your filling will be lump free and creamy
- Mini croissants: Tear them up—their flaky texture soaks up everything. Day olds work even better if you want more chew
Simple Step List
- Bake to Finish:
- Stick the pan in the oven uncovered. Bake for about 35-40 minutes—just keep an eye that it’s puffed and kinda jiggly in the center when done. Scoop up a warm slice right away for best results
- Time to Soak:
- After drenching all the croissant bits with custard, let it sit for twenty minutes so everything soaks in. Want more flavor and to save time in the morning? Cover and chill it overnight
- Mix Custard:
- In a big bowl, whip up the cream cheese until there’s no more lumps (soft cream cheese works best!). Next, whisk in sugar, eggs, and vanilla ’til smooth. Pour in the milk last and stir until nice and glossy
- Build Your Layers:
- Spread the torn croissants in your greased pan, then toss chocolate morsels all over so no scoop misses a bite
- Get Ready:
- Crank your oven to 350 and spray a 9x13 dish with nonstick just so nothing sticks later
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Handy Info
I gotta say—biting into a warm, chocolatey croissant bake when it’s chilly outside is just next-level. The gooey chocolate with creamy filling always reminds me of slow Sunday mornings with everyone gathered in the kitchen.
Storing Advice
Keep your Chocolate Croissant Bake covered in the fridge up to three days. To reheat, just zap it in the microwave or toss it in a 300 oven under foil until warm. Freeze the extras wrapped up tight—thaw overnight before you rewarm and eat
Easy Ingredient Swaps
No whole milk? Swap with half and half or any dairy free milk. Out of semi sweet chocolate? Grab dark or milk chocolate chips instead. Only got big croissants? Use 3 or 4, chopped smaller, and you’re good to go.
Fun Ways to Serve
Best enjoyed warm with a sprinkle of powdered sugar or a ribbon of chocolate sauce. Fresh berries add tartness or treat yourself with a big spoonful of whipped cream on top
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A Little Backstory
French bakeries are famous for flaky croissants and those chocolatey pain au chocolat. This twist bakes everything together like a cozy casserole, giving you that café feeling right at home (and with way less fuss)
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?
Go for it. Just build the bake the night before and pop it in the fridge. Bake in the morning for the tastiest results.
- → What type of chocolate is best to use?
Semi-sweet chips melt nicely and aren't too sweet. If you want, swap in dark or milk varieties to match your taste buds.
- → How do I make this breakfast bake gluten-free?
Grab gluten-free croissants and just double-check your chocolate and vanilla are gluten-free.
- → What is the ideal baking dish size?
Use a 9x13-inch pan. That way both croissant and custardy bits cook up evenly and stay creamy with a bit of bite.
- → How should leftovers be stored?
Pop extras in the fridge covered for three days max. Reheat slices for a few seconds in the microwave when you're ready for more.
- → Can I add any extra flavorings?
Cinnamon or orange zest in the custard brightens the flavor, so feel free to try it if you're feeling fancy.