Brûléed Eggnog Croissant French Toast Recipe
Introduction
This “Brûléed” Eggnog Croissant French Toast is a decadent twist on a classic breakfast favorite. With rich eggnog soaking buttery mini croissants and a caramelized sugar topping, it’s perfect for a festive morning or special brunch.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
- 8 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups eggnog (or whole milk)
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 20-24 mini croissants
- 1-2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- Whipped cream, fruit preserves, or fresh fruit for serving
Instructions
- Step 1: Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly. In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, maple syrup, and melted butter, then spread this mixture evenly on the bottom of the prepared dish.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the beaten eggs, eggnog (or milk), Grand Marnier, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt until smooth.
- Step 3: Submerge each mini croissant in the egg mixture, letting it soak for about a minute to absorb the custard. Arrange the soaked croissants side by side in the baking dish, then pour any remaining egg mixture over the top.
- Step 4: Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
- Step 5: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Sprinkle the granulated sugar evenly over the croissants to create the brûléed topping.
- Step 6: Bake uncovered for about 40 minutes, or until the French toast is golden brown and crisp on top. If it starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil to prevent burning.
- Step 7: Serve warm with whipped cream, fruit preserves, or fresh fruit as desired. Enjoy this luscious holiday treat!
Tips & Variations
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the Grand Marnier and add a little extra vanilla extract or orange zest for brightness.
- If mini croissants are unavailable, regular croissants cut into smaller pieces work well too.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top before baking for extra spice and crunch.
- Use homemade eggnog or store-bought, but choose a quality brand for the best flavor.
Storage
Store leftover French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, warm individual portions in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes or until heated through to preserve the crisp topping. Avoid microwaving to keep the brûléed sugar crunchy.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare this dish the night before?
Yes, soaking the croissants overnight enhances the flavor and makes the French toast more custardy. Just keep it refrigerated and bake it fresh the next morning.
What can I substitute for Grand Marnier?
If you don’t have Grand Marnier, you can use another orange liqueur or a splash of orange juice combined with a teaspoon of vanilla extract for a similar flavor profile.
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Brûléed Eggnog Croissant French Toast Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 55 minutes (including 1 hour chilling minimum)
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
This Brûléed Eggnog Croissant French Toast is a decadent and festive breakfast or brunch dish that combines rich, custardy eggnog-soaked mini croissants with a caramelized brown sugar and maple syrup base. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a crunchy brûléed sugar crust, this dish offers a delightful blend of warm spices, orange liqueur, and buttery sweetness. Ideal for holiday mornings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Base
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 6 tablespoons salted butter, melted
Custard Mixture
- 8 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups eggnog (or whole milk)
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier (orange liqueur)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
Main
- 20–24 mini croissants
- 1–2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
For Serving (Optional)
- Whipped cream
- Fruit preserves
- Fresh fruit
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Dish: Butter a 9×13 inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and enhance flavor.
- Create Sugar Base: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, maple syrup, and melted butter until combined. Evenly spread this mixture across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Mix Custard: In a large bowl, whisk the beaten eggs, eggnog (or whole milk), Grand Marnier, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, and kosher salt until smooth.
- Soak Croissants: Dip each mini croissant individually into the custard mixture, letting it soak for about a minute to absorb the custard fully. Arrange the soaked croissants snugly in the baking dish. Pour any remaining custard evenly over the arranged croissants.
- Chill: Cover the baking dish and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight. This allows the custard to soak into the croissants deeply for a custardy texture.
- Preheat Oven: When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sprinkle Sugar: Remove the dish from the fridge and sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the top layer of croissants to create a brûléed crust during baking.
- Bake: Bake uncovered for 40 minutes or until the French toast is golden brown, crisp on top, and cooked through. If the top browns too quickly, loosely cover with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Serve: Serve warm, garnished with whipped cream, fruit preserves, or fresh fruit if desired. Enjoy your festive and rich eggnog croissant French toast!
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the Grand Marnier or substitute with orange extract.
- Soaking the croissants overnight enhances the flavor and texture, but a minimum of 1 hour in the fridge also works.
- Use mini croissants for perfect portion sizes and even soaking; large croissants can be sliced if needed.
- Adjust cinnamon and nutmeg according to your spice preference.
- If you prefer a dairy-free version, use a plant-based eggnog alternative.
- The sprinkled sugar on top creates a caramelized crust similar to classic brûléed desserts.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: French toast, croissant French toast, eggnog recipe, holiday breakfast, brunch, caramelized sugar, Grand Marnier, festive breakfast
