Decadent Orange Cream Cheese Croissant Bake
Indulge in the layers of flavor with this Decadent Orange Cream Cheese Croissant Bake. Perfectly soft croissants are generously stuffed with creamy cheese and a zesty orange marmalade, then soaked in a rich egg mixture infused with warm spices. This delightful breakfast dish is ideal for brunch gatherings or lazy weekend mornings, inviting your friends and family to savor each delicious bite. Prepare it the night before for a hassle-free serving the next day - simply bake, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and enjoy hot!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggs
8 large (beaten)
Orange juice
1/4 cup (freshly squeezed)
Milk
1/4 cup (any kind)
Nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon (ground)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon (to taste)
Vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (pure)
Almond extract
1/8 teaspoon (pure)
Croissants
6 (store-bought or homemade)
Cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
Orange marmalade
2 cups (or other jam/jelly)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 400°F if not refrigerating overnight).
2
Start by splitting the croissants horizontally, adhering to no particular freshness rules, as packaged ones work great. On each open side, spread a generous layer of cream cheese, followed by a layer of orange marmalade on one side. Press the croissant tops back on to make a sandwich.
3
Grease a large casserole dish or a 9x12 inch baking pan with oil, then arrange the assembled croissants in the pan, snugly fitting them without overcrowding.
4
In a mixing bowl, thoroughly whisk together eggs, orange juice, milk, nutmeg, salt, vanilla, and almond extract until well blended.
5
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the stuffed croissants, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the croissants to soak up the egg mixture.
6
The next morning, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes to warm slightly.
7
If you wish to bake them immediately, gently poke fork holes into the tops of the croissants for better absorption of the egg mixture. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes (if soaked only briefly) or 30 minutes (if allowed to refrigerate overnight) until they are golden and puffed up.
8
Once baked, remove from the oven and sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving hot. These are delightful on their own or paired with fresh fruit!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Decadent Orange Cream Cheese Croissant Bake?
It is a breakfast casserole featuring croissants stuffed with cream cheese and orange marmalade, soaked in a spiced egg mixture.
How many croissants do I need for this recipe?
You will need 6 croissants, which can be either store-bought or homemade.
What kind of cream cheese should I use?
The recipe calls for 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.
How much orange marmalade is required?
You will need 2 cups of orange marmalade.
Can I use a different type of jam?
Yes, you can substitute the orange marmalade with other jams or jellies of your choice.
How many eggs are used in the custard mixture?
The recipe uses 8 large eggs, which should be beaten.
What type of orange juice is recommended?
The recipe suggests 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed orange juice.
What kind of milk can I use?
You can use 1/4 cup of any kind of milk.
What spices are used to flavor the egg mixture?
The custard is flavored with ground nutmeg and a pinch of salt.
Which extracts are included in the recipe?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and 1/8 teaspoon of pure almond extract.
How do I prepare the croissants before baking?
Split the croissants horizontally and spread cream cheese on both sides and marmalade on one side to make a sandwich.
What size baking pan should I use?
A large casserole dish or a 9x12 inch baking pan is ideal.
Should the baking pan be greased?
Yes, grease the pan with oil before arranging the croissants.
How should the croissants be arranged in the pan?
Arrange them snugly in the pan without overcrowding them.
Do I need to refrigerate the dish overnight?
Refrigerating overnight is recommended to allow the croissants to fully soak up the egg mixture.
Can I bake this dish immediately without soaking?
Yes, but you should poke fork holes in the tops of the croissants first to help with absorption.
What is the oven temperature for the overnight version?
Preheat your oven to 350°F if you have refrigerated the dish overnight.
What is the oven temperature if I am not refrigerating overnight?
The recipe suggests a higher temperature of 400°F if you are baking immediately.
How long does it take to bake if soaked overnight?
It takes approximately 30 minutes until the bake is golden and puffed up.
How long does it take to bake if not soaked overnight?
If soaked only briefly, bake for 15-20 minutes.
Should I let the dish sit after taking it out of the fridge?
Yes, let it rest at room temperature for about 30 minutes to warm slightly before putting it in the oven.
How do I know when the croissant bake is done?
The dish is ready when the croissants are golden brown and have puffed up.
What is the recommended topping after baking?
Sprinkle the hot bake with powdered sugar before serving.
What can I serve with this dish?
It is delicious on its own or paired with fresh fruit.
Is this recipe suitable for holiday breakfasts?
Yes, it is specifically noted as an ideal holiday or special occasion brunch dish.
Can I use stale croissants?
Yes, the recipe notes that there are no freshness rules and packaged croissants work great.
How do I ensure the croissants are well coated?
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the stuffed croissants in the pan.
Is this recipe considered comfort food?
Yes, it is described as a decadent comfort food breakfast dish.
What makes this recipe hassle-free?
The ability to prepare it the night before makes it easy to serve the next morning.
How many people does this recipe serve?
The recipe uses 6 large croissants, typically serving 3 to 6 people depending on portion size.