This Strawberry Croissant French Toast is the perfect weekend breakfast to showcase one of spring’s most beautiful gifts – gorgeous red strawberries!
Good morning! Last Saturday we enjoyed the company of my mom, Megan and her boys while they came to visit. We happily went out on the first day of strawberry picking and filled two boxes full of beautiful red berries. There is nothing in the grocery store that even compares to what we picked – they were so sweet and flavorful. My mom used some to make strawberry jam, for which we’ll be thankful all year long 😉
I used some of the others to make ice cream and we also ate our fair share. I had been wanting to make this croissant french toast ever since I got the Our Best Bites Cookbook last fall. Oh my goodness – this french toast is fabulous for so many reasons…it’s overnight french toast, which means less work to do in the morning…it’s super easy…and it uses both cream cheese and lemon!? Need I say more? Well besides, you’re welcome – you’re going to thank me for sharing this!
Ingredients
- 6 large BUTTER CROISSANTS*
- 8 oz. CREAM CHEESE
- Juice of 1 LEMON
- 1 1/4 cups POWDERED SUGAR
- 1 1/2 cups MILK
- 2 EGGS
- 1 1/2 teaspoons LEMON BAKERY EMULSION*
- Fresh STRAWBERRIES, sliced for garnish
- 2 cups of fresh STRAWBERRIES, chopped
- 1/3 cup SUGAR
- 1 teaspoon VANILLA
Instructions
- Slice croissants.
- Beat together cream cheese, lemon juice and 3/4 cup powdered sugar in a bowl. You want this to be light and fluffy (I used the whisk attachment for my mixer.)
- Spread cream cheese mixture on the bottom half of each croissant. Replace top and place into a lightly greased 9x13 pan, cut to fit if necessary.
- Combine milk, eggs, lemon bakery emulsion and 1/2 cup of powdered sugar. Pour over croissants in pan and then cover the pan with foil and place in fridge for 8-10 hours.
- In the morning, preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place covered pan in preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 20-30 minutes until set and golden. Let stand 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven. Serve with strawberry sauce and fresh sliced strawberries.
- Add strawberries and sugar to a large, heavy saucepan. Stirring often, bring to a boil over medium heat. Take off of the heat and add vanilla. Mash with a potato masher for a chunky sauce, blend with an immersion blender for a smooth sauce.
Notes
*I think I will use mini croissants next time, they'd be the perfect portion for one person without any extra cutting.
*If you don't have Lemon Bakery Emulsion, add the zest of a lemon to both the cream cheese mixture and the egg mixture and only use 1 1/4 teaspoons of lemon extract.
Recipe Source:Savoring the Seasons With Our Best Bites Cookbook
More weekend breakfasts…
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keri @ shaken together says
Three of my favorites in one recipe – YUM! Pinned!
keri @ shaken together recently posted..Skinny Peach Lemonade ~ Summertime Lemonade Recipe
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Thanks, Keri!
Becca@CrumbsandChaos recently posted..Strawberry Croissant French Toast
Emily @Sweet Bella Roos says
This looks SO good. Love that it is an overnight recipe and great tip to use mini croissants. I’ve never baked with emulsions, will have to check that out. Would love for you to come link up at my Pin It Thursday party http://bit.ly/13EnM60
Emily @Sweet Bella Roos recently posted..Pin It Thursday
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
You can’t go wrong with an overnight recipe – my favorite kind of breakfast on the weekends!
Julia says
Yummy! I love, love, love strawberries! What a great idea using croissant rolls! I can’t wait to try this!
Cheers,
Julia
It’s Always Ruetten
Julia recently posted..Father’s Day {Mustache} Ice Cream Cake
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Thanks, Julia!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
This looks like an incredibly yummy breakfast Becca – pinned!
Trish – Mom On Timeout recently posted..Grilled BBQ Chicken Pizza with 10 Minute Pizza Crust
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Thanks, Trish!
Wendy says
These look like an amazing special breakfast! Strawberries, french toast, croissants; so many favorites in one dish! I have never heard of lemon bakery emulsion. Could you explain what it is, how it is different from lemon extract, and where it can be purchased? Thanks!
Wendy recently posted..Snickerdoodle Cake-in-a-Jar
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Wendy,
This link has a really great explanation of the difference between an emulsion and an extract – http://cooking.stackexchange.com/questions/10019/what-is-bakery-emulsion-and-how-is-it-different-from-flavoring-extract
This is the kind that I used – http://www.amazon.com/LorAnn-Oils-Lemon-Bakery-Emulsion/dp/B002HQKDH0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371437124&sr=8-1&keywords=lemon+bakery+emulsion I found mine at TJMaxx near the food items that they sell.
Jocelyn@BruCrew Life says
This looks delicious! I want this for breakfast tomorrow!!
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Thanks Jocelyn, you would love it!
Amy @ swiss miss in the kitchen says
French toast made with croissants? GENIUS!!! Love love love this idea!! It looks heavenly….
xox Amy
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Thanks Amy!
Leslie says
This looks fantastic! Great job on the photos. I’m stopping by from the blog hop. I hope your having a great Monday.
Becca@CrumbsandChaos says
Thanks Leslie!
Leslie says
Hi there! I found your pin on Pinterest. Yum! This looks amazing! I love fresh strawberries. I’m a new follower through Facebook.
Leslie recently posted..In Pursuit Of Christmas Presents
Bismah says
This looks so delicious! Such a wonderful combination especially the yummy looking strawberries!
Bismah recently posted..Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream