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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!

overhead photo of Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake

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.

Croissants

Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake before baking

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.

side angled photo of Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake with maple being drizzled on top

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.

Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake | halfbakedharvest.com #frenchtoast #brunch #easyrecipes #springrecipes #easter

overhead photo of Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake with serving piece taken out

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!

overhead of Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast on plates

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.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
chill time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
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!
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horizontal photo of Berry and Cream Cheese Croissant French Toast Bake

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Comments

  1. Cant wait to try this! I am wanting to make ahead and rewarm for a brunch, do you think it would still be okay if it were reheated the next day?

    1. Hey Olivia,
      I would assemble through step 3, keep covered in the fridge and then continue with the recipe the following day. I hope you love the dish! xTieghan

  2. I made this today only I halved it since it is only two of us, w=excellent recipe for special occasions, will make it again!!!

    1. Hey Charlotte,
      Happy Monday! It’s so great that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xTieghan

  3. I I had this for the first time and I don’t think you need any thing on top as it was so delicious as it was.

    1. Hey there,
      Happy Monday! It’s so great that this recipe was enjoyed, thanks a bunch for giving it a go! xTieghan

  4. Do you think we could swap the cream cheese for full fat Greek yogurt? Looks delish! Love all your recipes, can’t wait to try this one!

    1. Hey Clare,
      You could certainly try the greek yogurt, my only concern is that it could become more liquidy that you would like. I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

    1. Hey Jessica,
      Awesome, I love to hear that the recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan

  5. Wow this was so yummy and so perfect when you’re craving an awesome brunch meal. Already can’t wait to make it again!

    1. Hey Danielle,
      Awesome, I love to hear that the recipe was enjoyed and thanks so much for giving it a try! xTieghan

  6. This was super, easy and tasted delicious. The cream cheese and jam bits reminded me of enjoying a danish. Thanks for a good one we’ll enjoy again.

  7. 5 stars
    This was AWESOME!!!!!!! Everyone gobbled it up! I did strawberry preserves and berries. I cannot wait to make your ham & cheese one! I made it the day before and put it into a cold oven and it baked for about an hour. The only thing I’ll do differently is that I’ll probably use Pam instead of butter to grease the pan. Even though I felt like I was pretty liberal in my buttering, it definitely stuck to the pan pretty well and took some scrubbing to clean. But yeah, this is a total keeper and I’d make this for a brunch party, or special occasion too. But simple and quick to put together!

    1. Hey Amanda,
      Thanks a lot for giving the recipe a go, I am so delighted that it was enjoyed! Have a great week:) xTieghan

  8. This is AMAZING! Thank goodness I made half a batch or I would devour it all! Perfect on this snowy day! Thank YOU!

  9. 5 stars
    I made this for Christmas morning, kinda. I followed the egg mixture but I used a Panettone bread instead of croissants and mascarpone instead of cream cheese, not big changes, just using what I had on hand. I was able to make it the night before and just pop it in the oven Christmas morning. This french toast, was perfect!! Not a crumb left in the dish. I cannot wait to make it again, Thank you Tieghan

  10. 5 stars
    I made this for a brunch group! OMG it was an absolute hit. I’m saving this recipe! I wasn’t sure when I was mixing it up the night before. I told everyone to be honest and the were. Everyone had seconds. What a nice treat!

    1. Hi Kristy,
      A brioche loaf would work well too! I hope you love the recipe, please let me know if you have any other questions! xTieghan

  11. This recipe is amazing! We’ve had it at a few family gatherings & it’s always a hit!