Almond Croissant Breakfast Bake
Heavenly flavors, fit for feeding a crowd!

When you’re feeding a crowd for a holiday morning or hosting a relaxed weekend brunch, it’s hard to beat a recipe like this French Almond Breakfast Bake. It’s warm, comforting, and made to share, It’s just elevated enough to feel special without requiring a ton of effort. Best of all, it transforms day-old croissants into something that feels intentional, making it a smart and delicious way to plan ahead.


The homemade almond paste is what makes this recipe shine. Made with almond flour, powdered sugar, butter, and just the right touch of almond and vanilla extracts, it adds a soft, sweet richness to every bite. As the bake cooks, those little dollops melt into the croissants and create pockets of flavor that feel just a bit indulgent without being too heavy.


Once the croissants are layered with the almond paste, everything gets soaked in a simple custard of eggs, half & half, sugar, and vanilla. Giving it a little time to rest in the fridge ensures that every piece of bread absorbs that creamy mixture. The sliced almonds on top add just the right amount of crunch, creating a beautiful contrast to the soft interior.

Baked until golden and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar, this breakfast bake is warm, cozy, and just a little bit elegant. It’s the kind of dish that feels right at home on a holiday table or a relaxed weekend morning, especially when you want something that looks impressive but comes together with minimal effort.

Almond Croissant Breakfast Bake
Watch How It's Made
Ingredients
- 12 croissants, stale
- 2 cups half & half
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 6 eggs, beaten
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1-2 tablespoons almond slices, for topping
- Powdered sugar, for dusting
Almond Paste
- 3/4 cup almond flour
- 1/3 cup powdered sugar
- 2 egg whites
- 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled
- 1 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Preparation
- Set croissants out the night before to dry out, or use croissants that are a few days old.
- To make almond paste: Combine all paste ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and mix until smooth. Set aside.
- Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
- Slice or tear croissants into bite-sized pieces.
- Sprinkle half of the croissant pieces in the prepared baking dish, then dot spoonfuls of half the almond paste overtop. Sprinkle on the remaining croissant pieces.
- Combine half & half, sugar, vanilla, and eggs in a bowl. Pour mixture over the layered croissants and dot with remaining almond paste. Sprinkle sliced almonds on top and cover with foil, then place in fridge to soak for at least 30 minutes.
- When ready to bake: preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Bake for 35 minutes, then remove foil and bake for 10 additional minutes.
- Dust with powdered sugar and serve warm!
Recipe adapted from Allrecipes.com
