When it comes to breakfast, starting your day with something custardy, sweet, and citrusy is a surefire way to put a smile on your face. Our Orange Croissant Breakfast Bake combines the goodness of orange marmalade, cream cheese, and croissants in a delectable custardy base. Baked to perfection, this dish boasts a soft, creamy center and a crispy, croissant craggy top. It’s like a dream come true!

Imagine a delightful cross between bread pudding and baked French toast. That’s exactly what our Orange Croissant Breakfast Bake offers. Not only is it easy to make, but it’s also easy to fall in love with. Plus, it’s a wonderful way to make use of any leftover croissants you may have lying around. (Although, let’s be honest, who ever has “extra croissants” as a problem?)

If you don’t have stale croissants on hand (because they’re usually devoured quickly and fresh), don’t worry. Fresh croissants work perfectly fine for this recipe too. Simply chop or tear four of them and place them in your baking dish.

Now, it’s time to add dollops of orange marmalade in between the croissants. In a separate bowl, mix together cream cheese, sugar, eggs, milk, orange zest, and a touch of almond extract.

Once the mixture is ready, pour it all over the torn croissants and marmalade. Just look at it – even unbaked, it already looks incredibly tempting.

But wait, there’s more. Bake it until it’s soft and has that perfect custardy texture of a bread pudding, with a delightful touch of flaky croissant on the surface. The aroma that fills your kitchen will make it hard to resist.

Is this an everyday breakfast? Probably not. But it’s the kind of breakfast that will make you feel like you’re treating yourself to something truly special. Indulge in the harmonious combination of sweet, creamy citrus and buttery pastry. That’s precisely how we want to start our mornings, isn’t it?

Orange Croissant Breakfast Bake

Serves 6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 croissants, roughly chopped
• 1 cup of orange marmalade
• 1 package (8 oz) of cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup of granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup of whole milk
• Zest from one orange
• 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 2-quart baking dish (an 8-inch square dish works well) with butter or non-stick spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and fluffy, approximately 3 minutes.
3. Add the sugar and continue beating until fully incorporated. Then, add the eggs, milk, orange zest, and almond extract, and mix until combined.
4. Place the chopped croissants in the prepared baking dish, and scatter dollops of marmalade among them, stirring slightly to distribute if necessary.
5. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the croissants, ensuring they are completely covered. Cover the dish tightly with foil.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the top turns golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Let the dish cool slightly before serving. If desired, dust with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness. Enjoy a delightful breakfast!

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