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Cozy Honey Butter Croissant French Toast Bake with Macerated Strawberries

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A rich and comforting french toast bake made with flaky croissants soaked in a honey butter custard, topped with juicy macerated strawberries. Perfect for cozy weekend mornings or special brunches.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large croissants, preferably day-old or slightly stale
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 ½ cups whole milk (or dairy-free milk like oat milk for vegan option)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (optional for extra richness)
  • ¼ cup honey
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (plus extra for greasing)
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Optional: 1 tablespoon liqueur like Grand Marnier or orange juice

Instructions

  1. Prepare the macerated strawberries by combining sliced strawberries, sugar, lemon juice, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Toss gently and let sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Fold in liqueur or orange juice if using.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter.
  3. Slice croissants into roughly 1½-inch pieces and spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
  4. In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream (if using), honey, vanilla extract, cinnamon, salt, and melted butter until smooth.
  5. Pour the custard mixture evenly over the croissant pieces, pressing gently to soak all pieces. Let sit for 10 minutes to absorb. Optionally, cover and refrigerate up to 2 hours for richer soak.
  6. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the top is golden brown and custard is set. Tent with foil if edges brown too quickly.
  7. Let the bake rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Spoon macerated strawberries and syrup over portions and serve warm.

Notes

Use day-old croissants for better soaking without sogginess. If using fresh croissants, toast lightly first. Let croissants soak at least 10 minutes; refrigerate overnight for richer texture. Watch oven temperature to avoid drying out custard. Butter in custard and for greasing adds richness and browning. Macerate strawberries fresh and gently to keep texture. Variations include gluten-free croissants, dairy-free milk and butter, seasonal fruit swaps, and add-ins like nuts or chocolate chips.

Nutrition

Keywords: french toast bake, croissant french toast, honey butter, macerated strawberries, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, cozy breakfast

Find it online: https://sagestirs.com/cozy-honey-butter-croissant-french-toast-bake-with-5-easy-macerated-strawberry-tips/