Description

This Blueberry Croissant French Toast Bake is a decadent and flavorful breakfast or brunch dish that combines flaky croissants soaked in a rich egg custard with sweet blueberry jam and fresh berries. Topped with dollops of creamy ricotta and baked to golden perfection, it’s finished with a warm cinnamon maple syrup for a delightful balance of sweetness and spice.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard and Base

6 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons maple syrup
1 tablespoon orange zest
1/4 cup Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
14–16 croissants, torn in half

Fillings

1 jar (10 ounce) blueberry jam
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup fresh blueberries

Topping

6 tablespoons cold salted butter, thinly sliced

Cinnamon Maple Syrup

1 cup maple syrup
2 cinnamon sticks
2 tablespoons salted butter
Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and add flavor.
Make Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, milk, maple syrup, orange zest, Grand Marnier, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until well combined to form the egg batter.
Assemble Bake: Add the torn croissants to the egg mixture and gently toss until all pieces are coated. Arrange half of the croissants in the prepared baking dish. Spoon dollops of blueberry jam and ricotta cheese evenly over the croissants. Layer the remaining croissants on top. Pour the remaining custard over the croissant layers and sprinkle fresh blueberries over everything.
Chill: Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight to allow the croissants to soak up the custard mixture thoroughly.
Preheat Oven and Add Butter: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lay the thinly sliced cold salted butter evenly over the top of the croissants to create a crispy golden finish.
Bake: Bake the French toast bake for 40–50 minutes until it is golden brown and crisp on top. If the croissants brown too quickly during baking, cover the dish loosely with foil to prevent burning.
Make Cinnamon Maple Syrup: While baking, combine the maple syrup, cinnamon sticks, and butter in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes to infuse the syrup with cinnamon flavor. Remove from heat and stir in a pinch of sea salt to enhance the sweetness.
Serve: Serve the French toast bake warm with additional fresh berries, whipped cream if desired, and drizzle with the cinnamon maple syrup. Enjoy the rich, fruity flavors and comforting texture!

Notes

This dish can be assembled the night before and refrigerated to save time in the morning.
Grand Marnier is optional but adds a lovely orange flavor; substitute with orange juice if preferred.
Use day-old croissants for best texture and absorption of the custard.
If you prefer a dairy-free version, substitute milk and butter with plant-based alternatives.
Covering with foil mid-bake prevents over-browning but still allows the dish to cook through.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: blueberry croissant, French toast bake, brunch recipe, baked French toast, blueberry jam, ricotta cheese, cinnamon maple syrup