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Croissant Breakfast Bake Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 636 reviews

This Croissant Breakfast Bake is a decadent and savory casserole perfect for a special brunch or breakfast gathering. Featuring flaky butter croissants baked with layers of savory ham and melted Gruyère cheese, all set in a rich custard of eggs, cream, and aromatic spices. Topped with fresh chives, this dish combines buttery, cheesy, and slightly spicy flavors for a comforting and elegant start to your day.

Ingredients

Scale

Base

  • 8 large butter croissants

Protein & Cheese

  • 8 ounces ham, cut into 1 x ¼-inch strips
  • 1 cup Gruyère cheese, shredded

Custard Mixture

  • 10 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (10 grams)
  • 1 teaspoon salt (5 grams)
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 2 cups whole milk (16 ounces)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (8 ounces)

Garnish

  • Chopped fresh chives

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat the oven to 250°F (120°C) and grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish to prevent sticking.
  2. Dry Out Croissants: Tear the butter croissants into large chunks about 2 inches in size. Place the pieces on a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake for 25 minutes to dry them out, ensuring they absorb the custard properly without becoming soggy.
  3. Arrange Croissants: Remove the croissants from the oven and place them closely together in the greased casserole dish to form a base layer.
  4. Increase Oven Temperature: Raise the oven temperature to 325°F (163°C) for baking the casserole.
  5. Add Ham and Cheese: Scatter the ham strips evenly over the croissant pieces, then sprinkle shredded Gruyère cheese on top to add a rich savory flavor.
  6. Mix Custard: In a large bowl with a pourable spout, whisk together the eggs, Dijon mustard, salt, cayenne pepper, and nutmeg until well combined to build flavor depth.
  7. Incorporate Dairy: Whisk in the whole milk and heavy cream to the egg mixture until smooth and evenly blended, creating a creamy custard.
  8. Pour Custard: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissants, ham, and cheese in the casserole dish, ensuring all pieces are covered well.
  9. Bake Covered: Cover the casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the egg custard has fully set.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Remove the foil, sprinkle chopped fresh chives on top for a fresh, mild onion flavor, and serve warm.

Notes

  • Drying the croissants before assembling prevents sogginess and helps them soak up the custard evenly.
  • If preferred, substitute Gruyère cheese with Swiss or Emmental for a similar melt and flavor.
  • Depending on your oven, check the custard at 35 minutes to ensure it does not overcook.
  • Fresh chives add color and a mild onion flavor, but you can use parsley or scallions as alternatives.
  • Make ahead by assembling the night before, keeping it covered in the fridge, and baking in the morning. Increase baking time slightly if baking straight from the fridge.

Keywords: croissant breakfast casserole, ham and cheese bake, savory breakfast bake, brunch recipes, egg custard bake

Find it online: https://spatulaqueen.com/croissant-breakfast-bake-recipe/