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There’s no better way to serve French toast than this Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake. Not only is this french toast incredibly easy, it’s also better than any other french toast you’ve ever had. Soft, buttery, flaky croissants layered with sweet fruit jam and extra creamy, cream cheese. Then baked in an eggy french toast “batter”. It’s the perfect (make ahead) brunch entrée for both spring and summer, and super pretty when topped with fresh berries. No one will pass up this french toast!
As you’ll see later this week, I am very much into spring brunch foods right now. Today I’m sharing something sweet. Later this week I’ll be sharing something more on the savory side. I am really excited about both recipes. With Easter being this weekend, I figure you can never have too many brunch recipes. I’m also just really happy to be back in the kitchen creating recipes that are full of spring color. Finding inspiration in each of the seasons is the best!
Which brings me to this french toast. While slightly over the top with the flaky croissants, sweet jam, fresh berries, and pockets of cream cheese (yes pockets of cream cheese). This bake is honestly so delicious and the perfect breakfast/brunch to serve over Easter weekend, for upcoming Mother’s Day, and really any other day you please.
I have been dying to make a good spring French toast for weeks now. You guys know I love a good French toast recipe, but I wanted something a little different. Something that hasn’t been overdone, and that would be easy for us to throw together. Something that can be made either the night before, or quickly in the morning. Trust me, I get that holidays can be insanely hectic with family and friends crowding up the kitchen and demanding attention. I’ve made the mistake of playing short order cook one too many times. It’s really only been within this last year that I finally got smart and started coming up with recipes like this french toast bake.
When hosting a brunch, you need a few dishes on the menu that can be made almost entirely in advance. This french toast bake can be prepared the night before. Then simply bake it off in the morning. It’s the recipe every hostess needs.
Tip: I’d also recommend a good pitcher style cocktail…because cocktails are almost always the first thing people are looking for when they walk in the door. It’s true.
I obviously have a few french toast recipes here on HBH, but this one is surely the easiest of them all. And while I will not say it’s my all time favorite (because I really love all the French toast recipes I have shared!!), I will say that this croissant french toast bake is very high on my favorite’s list.
Because what’s not to love about this recipe? Every ingredient is a special one…again, croissants, jam, berries, and cream cheese.
This recipe starts out like any other baked french toast recipe. Make the eggy batter, which is an easy mix of milk, eggs, good vanilla, and a touch of cinnamon. It’s as simple as it gets, but for whatever reason it creates the best eggy french toast.
PS. who do you think first thought to dip bread in beaten eggs and then pan fry it? I will forever be curious about how that genius mind thought this concept up. I’m also very grateful for whoever this person was.
Croissants are one of my favorite pastries, and one of the best breads to use in a french toast. Their light, buttery, and airy layers really soak up that eggy batter. As the french toast bakes, the croissants stay soft in the center, but slowly caramelize on the outside and form a bit of a crunchy crust. It’s the best of both worlds, soft in the middle with a nice crunch on the outside.
Now, here’s the important step. The croissants are layered with sweet jam and cream cheese. The layering creates pockets and swirls of both jam and cream cheese throughout this french toast bake. I really cannot even begin to describe just how good every bite it.
If you love spreading toast with jam, and if you love a cream cheese bagel, you will 100% love everything about this french toast.
As soon as the french toast comes out of the oven, finish it off with a handful of your favorite berries and a drizzle of real maple syrup. Again, nothing not to love here.
And of course, one of the best things about this recipe, is just how easy it is to make and serve. Simply assemble and chill until ready to bake…then bake and serve. Simple, pretty, and delicious!
If you make this baked croissant french toast, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
Watch the How To Video:
Baked Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast.
Servings: 8
Calories Per Serving: 2099 kcal
Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs, beaten
- 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- 2 tablespoons real maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 12 cups roughly torn, day old croissants (about 12-16 croissants)
- 1 jar (10 ounce) high quality fruit preserves, such as blueberry, strawberry, or blackberry
- 8 ounces cream cheese, cut into small cubes
- 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, thinly sliced
- 1 cup fresh berries, such as blueberries, strawberries, or blackberries
- 1 cup heavy cream
- powdered sugar and maple syrup, for serving
Instructions
- 1. Grease a 9x13 inch-baking dish with butter.2. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Add the torn croissants and gently toss with egg mixture. Arrange half the croissants in the prepared baking dish. Dollop the jam and cream cheese over the croissants. Add the remaining croissants overtop. It's OK if not all of the jam and cream cheese are fully covered. Pour the remaining egg mixture over the croissants. 3. Cover and place in the fridge for 30 minutes or up to overnight. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. 4. Lay the thinly sliced butter over the croissants. Transfer to the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the French toast is golden and crisp. If the tops of the croissants begin to brown too quickly, loosely cover the french toast with foil.5. Meanwhile, in a mixing bowl, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Stir in 1 tablespoon powdered sugar or maple syrup, if desired. 6. Serve the french toast warm, topped with whipped cream, fresh berries, and maple syrup. Enjoy!
I made this for Easter brunch and it was huge hit.
Not a morsel was left over. A definite addition to any
Brunch! Would make again in a heartbeat!
Thank you so much Kerry! xTieghan
It looks delicious! Is it possible to use almond milk and vegan cream cheese?
Hey Nellie! I recommend using canned coconut milk and then your favorite vegan cream cheese. Both will be so good I am sure! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This was delicious. I made it for Father’s Day last week. And everyone loved it so much. Thank you for sharing this amazing recipe!
Thank you Ateryi! I am so glad you all loved this! xTieghan
Will this hold for a day and a half? My thought was to prepare this July 2nd evening to bake July 4th morning. I have to work half a day on July 3rd and then will be driving to our family weekend getaway straight from work. I figured I would put it in a cooler to bring with us to serve to the family on the holiday.
Hey Tara! Yes, that will work just great! I often make this 2 days in advance. Just bring to room temp before baking. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
I have some buttermilk in my fridge. Do you think you could use that instead of heavy cream?
HI! I don’t recommend using buttermilk. I worry it will taste too different. Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
This was just okay. I was actually a bit disappointed – I made it for Father’s Day and no one was really impressed by it. I probably won’t make it again.
Hi Christie! I am sorry to hear that. Are there any questions I could help you with or any steps you may have missed? I hope you love other recipes on my blog! xTieghan
Easily my new fav brunch recipe. Simple to make, yet soooooo delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Love that!! Thank you Jen! xTieghan
Made this for Father’s Day brunch and it was a huge hit! My son said it was the best breakfast he’s had in his whole life (he’s 7)! ?
Haha that is still such a great compliment! I am so glad you all loved this Jaime! Thank you! xTieghan
Wow!! This was delicious!!
Thank you so much Francesca! xTieghan
This such a delicious variation of French toast casserole! I’ll definitely be keeping this recipe for future special occasions!
Thank you Katie! xTieghan
Sooooo good and so easy. Delicious and decadent and perfect for brunch. We’ll definitely be making this again!
Yes!! Thank you so much! xTieghan
Do you think this recipe could be made even more in advance? I’m thinking about getting it ready on Friday to serve on Sunday morning? Do you think it would be too soggy by then? I can’t wait to try it! 🙂
Hey Casey! Making on Friday for Sunday morning will work great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
Hi! I tweaked your recipe and used Hawaiian rolls because it was what I had on hand. I even made my own preserve. It was a hit with my family. I will try it again next weekend with croissants. Thanks for inspiring me to get cookin’!!!! I love following you and seeing all your beautiful food photos.
This is so sweet! Thank you so much for trying this! xTieghan
Planning to make this tomorrow for breakfast – any ideas how to store the leftovers? (We’re only 2 so there will definitely be leftovers!)
Thanks!
Fina
Hi there! You can store the leftovers, covered in the fridge for a few days! The french toast keeps great! Please let me know if you have any other questions. I hope you love this recipe! Thank you! xTieghan
My mom made this for Mother’s Day brunch yesterday and when I tell you that it is truly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten, I don’t know that I would be exaggerating. I think the only change she made was to halve it (there were only 4 of us) and added some of the fresh berries with the preserves and cream cheese before baking. Other than that, she did the recipe as written. She said it was one of the easiest things she’s ever made and that next time, active time would be like 5 minutes. Stop what you are doing and make this!!
I am so glad you all loved this recipe!! Thank you so much for trying this one out, Alix! xTieghan