French toast is my favorite sweet breakfast of all time. I will never turn down a delicious stack of pancakes or the perfect plating of waffles, but when it comes down to choosing which I'd prefer, I will always choose french toast. The buttery, eggy toast topped with cinnamon, powdered sugar, and syrup. It just doesn't get any better-- wait, yes it does: CROISSANT FRENCH TOAST BAKE.

Why should I make this croissant french toast bake?

I've made french toast bakes before with pears and brown sugar, or my cinnamon and apple french toast bake. This one, however, is an ode to croissants and mixed berries. There are so many benefits of making this delicious croissant french toast bake, other than the obvious of it being insanely yummy and the perfect brunch crowd pleaser:

1. You can prep this recipe overnight or ahead of time! Yep, go ahead and assemble the entire thing and set in the fridge, and bake it first thing in the morning.
2. Add in whatever mix ins you want such as fruit, sliced almonds, or top with ice cream for a fun twist.
3. Croissants are super forgiving when they soak in the egg and milk mixture. They bake well, get a little crisp on top, but hold their shape pretty well during the baking process.

How do I prep for this french toast bake recipe?

This croissant french toast bake recipe does not require a ton of prep work, and you likely have most of the ingredients in your home already! Here's what you'll need:

• Croissants (it does not need to be fresh, you can buy from a store like Trader Joe's or your local bakery)
• Eggs
• Milk
• Cinnamon
• Vanilla extract
• Berries (I used blue, black, and raspberries to throw on top after it baked)
• Honey
• Brown sugar

What equipment do I need to make this french toast bake?

The only few items you would need from your kitchen in order to prep and bake this croissant french toast bake would be:

• A large mixing bowl: to whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon
• A large baking dish: for the actual recipe itself
• A reliable whisk

One of the reasons I love making this recipe is because of the easy prep and minimal need to splatter or mess up my kitchen. I need to clean my oven, but that doesn't need to be discussed here.

If I'm allergic to gluten, what can I do?

This is a popular question I get more frequently now, and here are some ideas if you have a gluten-sensitivity, are celiac, or have other intolerances that prohibit you from making this recipe as is:

1. Swap out the croissants for gluten free ones, or simply use a gluten free brioche!
2. Use your preferred nut-milk or dairy-alternative milk, and swap out eggs for a flax egg* (I've not used this before so while I suggest this as an option, I cannot attest to the flavor or taste)

Cool, so let's make this croissant french toast bake!

Let's do ittttt! To start, preheat your oven to 350º and prep an oven-safe baking dish. Rip the croissants into large chunks and place into a casserole dish. Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon well. Pour over the top of the croissants, making sure to coat each piece. Top with a little brown sugar and bake for 30 minutes at 350°. Let cool slightly before adding the honey and berries.

I know this recipe is going to quickly become a favorite in your home as it has mine. It's the perfect brunch dish, great for any holiday or gathering of friends. Plus, it yields quite a lot of servings, so you'll have an easy breakfast for quick mornings. Enjoy!!