Ingredients
– 6 large eggs
– 1 1/2 cups milk
– 2 tablespoons maple syrup
– 1 tablespoon orange zest
– 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (orange liqueur) or orange juice as a substitute
– 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
– 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 14-16 croissants, torn in half (regular size or double the amount for mini croissants)
– 1 jar (10 ounces) blueberry jam
– 1 cup ricotta cheese
– 6 tablespoons cold salted butter, thinly sliced
– 1 cup fresh blueberries and an assortment of fresh fruit for topping
– 1 cup pure maple syrup
– 2 cinnamon sticks
– 2 tablespoons salted butter
– Pinch of sea salt
Instructions
1-First Step: Prepare Your Baking Dish Begin by buttering a 9ร13 inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add extra flavor. This step takes just a couple of minutes and sets the foundation for easy serving later.
2-Second Step: Whisk the Custard Mixture In a large bowl, whisk together 6 large eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 tablespoon orange zest, 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or orange juice, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. This creates a flavorful custard that coats the croissants beautifully, and it should take about 2-3 minutes of whisking for a smooth blend.
3-Third Step: Coat and Layer the Croissants Dip 14-16 croissants, torn in half, in the egg mixture and toss to coat evenly. Arrange half of them in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly for even soaking, which helps distribute flavors.
4-Fourth Step: Add Fillings and Top Layer Dollop 1 jar (10 ounces) blueberry jam and 1 cup ricotta cheese over the first layer of croissants for a burst of sweetness and creaminess. Then, add the remaining croissants on top, pour the leftover egg mixture over everything, and sprinkle 1 cup fresh blueberries evenly across the surface.
5-Fifth Step: Chill the Dish Cover the dish and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes or up to overnight. This allows the croissants to absorb the custard, enhancing the texture; plan for this step based on your schedule, as longer chilling leads to a more flavorful bake.
6-Sixth Step: Add Butter and Bake Before baking, lay 6 tablespoons of thinly sliced cold salted butter over the croissants. Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF and bake for 40-50 minutes until golden and crisp, covering with foil if it browns too quickly to ensure even cooking.
7-Seventh Step: Prepare the Cinnamon Syrup While the bake is in the oven, simmer 1 cup pure maple syrup, 2 cinnamon sticks, and 2 tablespoons salted butter in a saucepan for 10 minutes. Add a pinch of sea salt at the end, then remove from heat and let it cool slightly for a warm, homemade topping.
8-Final Step: Serve and Enjoy Once baked, let the dish cool for a few minutes, then serve warm with the cinnamon syrup, whipped cream, fresh berries, and an assortment of fresh fruit. This totals about 1 hour of preparation and cooking time, making it perfect for a quick yet special breakfast check out our other breakfast recipes for more ideas.)
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
๐ฅ Lightly toast the croissants before dipping them in the egg mixture to prevent them from becoming too soggy during soaking.
๐ If you prefer a non-alcoholic version, substitute the Grand Marnier with fresh orange juice without losing the citrusy brightness.
๐ซ Prepare the bake ahead and chill overnight to allow the flavors to meld beautifully, making it perfect for stress-free brunch entertaining.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 396
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 200mg
