Description

This Nutella Lava Croissant Bake is a decadent and comforting breakfast or brunch dish featuring buttery croissants filled with rich Nutella, soaked in a cinnamon-vanilla egg mixture, and baked to golden perfection. The result is a custardy, lava-like center perfect for dusting with powdered sugar and serving alongside fresh berries for a delightful treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Croissants and Filling

4 large croissants (day-old or fresh)
1 cup Nutella (or more, to taste)

Custard Mixture

4 large eggs
1 cup milk (whole or 2%)
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)

For Serving

Powdered sugar (for dusting)
Fresh berries (for serving, optional)

Instructions

Prepare the Croissants: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice each croissant in half horizontally to create a top and bottom half. Generously spread Nutella on the inside of each croissant half, then reassemble the croissants.
Arrange in Baking Dish: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Place the filled croissants in the dish, cut side up, arranging them evenly.
Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon (if using) until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Assemble the Bake: Pour the egg mixture evenly over the croissants in the baking dish, ensuring all croissants are soaked well. Allow the croissants to sit and soak the custard mixture for about 10 minutes to absorb the liquid.
Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the croissants are golden brown on top and the egg custard is fully set.
Serve: Remove from the oven and let the bake cool slightly for a few minutes. Dust the top with powdered sugar before serving. Optionally, serve warm with fresh berries on the side for added freshness and color.

Notes

Using day-old croissants helps to absorb the custard better, but fresh croissants work well too.
Adjust Nutella quantity to taste if you prefer a richer chocolate flavor.
You can substitute whole milk with 2% or any milk alternative, but texture might vary slightly.
Ground cinnamon is optional but adds a warm flavor note to the custard.
For an extra indulgence, add chopped hazelnuts or chocolate chips inside the croissants before baking.
Allowing the croissants to soak for 10 minutes before baking ensures a custardy texture inside.
Serve warm for the best lava effect with Nutella melted inside.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Nutella croissant bake, Nutella breakfast bake, chocolate croissant casserole, Nutella lava bake, baked croissant recipe, custard baked croissants