Blueberry Croissant Baked French Toast
This Blueberry Croissant Baked French toast is rich, creamy, and bursting with blueberry and cheesecake flavor—perfect for an easy, make-ahead brunch!
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 470kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
Filling
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- Zest of a lemon
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice from ½ the lemon
- 3 tablespoons powdered sugar plus extra for dusting
- 1 egg yolk optional for lighter and fluffier texture
Custard
- 6 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups half and half
- ½ cup maple syrup or other sweetener
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
The rest of the story
- 6 croissants cut in ½ inch slices
- 1 cup blueberry preserves
- ½ cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
Prep
- Slice the croissants into pieces and let dry overnight or, if you forget, place slices on a baking sheet in the oven for 20 minutes at 200°F.
Make cream cheese filling
- By hand, or with a hand mixer, combine the cream cheese, powdered sugar,lemon zest and juice, and egg yolk, until smooth.
Prepare French toast custard
- Add eggs, half and half, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl. Using a large whisk, mix until fully combined.
Assemble
- Dunk all of the slices into the custard and stir around to ensure they all are soaked.
- Place the croissant slices in the prepared baking dish, all in a single layer.
- Dollop tablespoons of cheesecake mixture between and on the sides of the croissants. Place a teaspoon or so of blueberry jam on or near each of your cheesecake dollops.
- Pour the remaining custard over the top. Allow to soak in for at least one hour, up to overnight, before baking. If baking the same morning, preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Add the reserved croissants on top, with their pretty ends facing up. Sprinkle over top with about ½ cup of fresh or frozen blueberries.
Bake
- Cover loosely with aluminum foil, and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the custard is set and the tops of the croissants are golden brown.
- Allow to cool for about 15 minutes and then sprinkle with powdered sugar. Slice and serve with more maple syrup or creme anglaise if you’re feeling fancy.
Video
Notes
Storage: Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days, without losing moisture, when stored in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap. You can also freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap individual portion in 2 layers of plastic wrap and 2 layers of aluminum foil. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Reheating: To reheat, place portions in oven safe container and cover with foil. Heat in 350°F oven for 10-15 minutes. To crisp the top, uncover and broil for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully.
Nutrition
Calories: 470kcal | Carbohydrates: 70g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 223mg | Sodium: 306mg | Potassium: 271mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 44g | Vitamin A: 909IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 133mg | Iron: 2mg
