Chocolate Croissant Bread Pudding (Printable)

Buttery croissants baked with chocolate in creamy custard for a cozy brunch indulgence.

# Ingredient List:

→ Breads & Chocolates

01 - 6 large croissants (day-old preferred), 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

# Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses simple, everyday ingredients to create an impressive brunch dish
  • Perfect way to repurpose day-old croissants without any waste
  • Rich chocolate and buttery croissant combination creates irresistible flavor
  • Easy enough for beginners but elegant enough for special occasions
  • Can be prepared ahead and baked fresh when needed
02 -
  • Use stale or day-old croissants for the best texture—they absorb custard without falling apart
  • Press down gently on the croissants after adding custard to ensure even soaking
  • Let the pudding rest for 10 minutes after baking so the custard sets properly
  • Check for doneness by gently shaking the dish—the center should jiggle slightly but not be liquid
  • Add orange zest or a splash of orange liqueur to the custard for extra depth of flavor
  • Reheat leftovers in the oven rather than the microwave to maintain texture
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