Pioneer Woman Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe
The Pioneer Woman Croissant French Toast Casserole Recipe is a dream come true.
Ingredients
- 8 to 10 large butter croissants.
- 8 extra-large eggs.
- 2 cups of whole milk.
- 1 cup of heavy cream.
- 3/4 cup of granulated sugar.
- 2 tablespoons of pure vanilla extract.
- 1/2 cup of light brown sugar.
- 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour.
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
- 1/4 teaspoon of kosher salt.
- 1/2 cup of cold salted butter cubed.
Instructions
Tear the Croissants
- Tear the croissants into large, bite-sized pieces with your hands. You can also use a knife to slice them. Place the pieces into a greased baking dish.
Whisk the Eggs
- Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl. Whisk them until the yolks and whites are smooth. This makes the custard base very even.
Add the Liquids
- Pour the milk and heavy cream into the bowl. Stir in the white sugar and vanilla extract. Whisk everything together until the sugar dissolves.
Soak the Bread
- Pour the egg mixture over the croissant pieces slowly. Press the bread down with your hands to soak. Every piece should be covered in the liquid.
Make the Topping
- Mix the flour and brown sugar in a bowl. Add the cinnamon, salt, and the cold butter cubes. Use a fork to mash the butter into crumbs.
Chill the Casserole
- Cover the dish tightly with a piece of foil. Place it in the fridge for at least two hours. Overnight is even better for the best texture.
Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the dish out of the fridge. Sprinkle the sweet butter crumbs all over the top.
Bake until Golden
- Bake the casserole for 45 to 50 minutes total. The center should be set and the top brown. Serve it warm with some maple syrup!
Notes
- Use stale croissants: Dry bread soaks up the custard much better.
- Cold butter: Keep the topping butter cold for a crumbly crust.
- Soak overnight: This gives the dish a rich, pudding-like center.
- Don't overbake: The center should be firm but still very soft.
- Heavy cream: Use real cream for the most decadent flavor.
- Add fruit: Toss in fresh berries for a bright, tart taste.
- Maple syrup: Always serve with warm, real maple syrup.
- Powdered sugar: Dust the top for a very pretty look.