Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding (Printable)

Buttery croissants combined with rich chocolate and creamy custard for a warm, comforting brunch dish.

# What You'll Need:

→ Breads & Chocolates

01 - 6 large day-old croissants, cut into 2-inch pieces
02 - 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate

→ Custard Mixture

03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1 cup heavy cream
05 - 4 large eggs
06 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
08 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

→ Toppings

09 - Powdered sugar for dusting
10 - Fresh berries for serving
11 - Whipped cream for serving

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter.
02 - Arrange croissant pieces evenly in the prepared baking dish. Distribute chocolate chips or chopped chocolate over and between the croissant pieces.
03 - In a large bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour custard mixture evenly over croissants, pressing gently to ensure complete saturation. Allow to stand for 10 minutes.
05 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until custard is set and the top achieves a golden brown color.
06 - Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving.
07 - Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm with fresh berries or whipped cream as desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Decadent yet easy to prepare with minimal hands-on time
  • Perfect way to use day-old croissants and reduce food waste
  • Rich chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with flaky, buttery layers
  • Impressive presentation that looks like it came from a bakery
  • Versatile enough to serve as brunch or dessert
  • Makes your kitchen smell absolutely heavenly
02 -
  • Check the chocolate ingredient list for allergens if serving guests with sensitivities
  • Use a 9x13-inch baking dish as specified—a smaller dish may overflow, and a larger one won't create the proper depth
  • Don't skip the standing time after pouring the custard; it's essential for even absorption
  • The bread pudding is done when the center jiggles only slightly and a knife inserted comes out mostly clean
  • Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving to allow the custard to set properly
  • This dish reheats beautifully, making it perfect for meal prep or make-ahead brunches
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