Description
This Croissant Breakfast Casserole with Lemon Curd and Berries is a delightful and indulgent dish perfect for a weekend brunch or special breakfast. Combining flaky day-old croissants, vibrant mixed berries, and a luscious lemon curd-infused custard, this bake offers a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Easy to prepare and bake to golden perfection, it can be made ahead of time and enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
Ingredients
Scale
Croissant and Fruit
- 4 large croissants (preferably day-old, torn into chunks)
- 1 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen; e.g., blueberries, raspberries, strawberries)
- 1/2 cup lemon curd
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Zest of 1 lemon
To Serve
- Powdered sugar for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×9-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and ensure easy serving.
- Arrange croissants and berries. Place the torn croissant chunks evenly into the baking dish and scatter the mixed berries over the top, distributing them so every serving has a good amount of fruit.
- Whisk custard mixture. In a medium bowl, vigorously whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon zest until smooth and well combined.
- Add lemon curd and pour custard. Drizzle the lemon curd evenly over the croissants and berries. Then pour the egg and cream custard mixture over the entire dish, ensuring it spreads evenly to soak all the croissant pieces.
- Soak the croissants. Gently press down on the croissant chunks so they absorb the custard mixture well. Let the dish sit for 10–15 minutes at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate overnight if making ahead.
- Bake. Place the dish uncovered in the preheated oven and bake for 35–40 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the custard has fully set.
- Cool and serve. Allow the casserole to cool slightly before dusting with powdered sugar, if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For an extra burst of citrus, swirl additional lemon curd on top of the casserole after baking.
- You can customize this recipe by using any combination of berries or substituting stone fruits such as peaches during summer months.
- Using day-old croissants is preferred as they better absorb the custard without becoming overly mushy.
- This casserole can be refrigerated overnight to deepen flavors and save time the next morning.
