Description
Learn how to make delicious Caramel Apple Croissant Bake. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 large croissants (day-old or slightly stale works best)
- 3 medium apples (I prefer Granny Smith or Honeycrisp for a nice balance of tartness and sweetness)
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups whole milk (or 1 cup milk + ½ cup cream for extra richness)
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- ½ cup caramel sauce, store-bought or homemade (see my tips below for making it from scratch)
If you want to swap ingredients, feel free! I’ve made this with almond milk when dairy wasn’t on hand, and it still turned out lovely. For a lower-sugar version, reduce the brown sugar to ⅓ cup and skip the caramel drizzle or use a sugar-free alternative. You can also toss in a handful of chopped walnuts or pecans for a bit of crunch.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish or spray it lightly with nonstick spray.
- Slice the croissants into roughly 1-inch pieces. I like to use slightly day-old croissants because they soak up the custard better without turning mushy.
- Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples. If you grew up like me, you might remember helping peel apples for pies during family dinners—this step brings back those cozy vibes!
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until smooth and combined.
- Stir in the melted butter. This little addition keeps the bake rich and luscious inside without feeling heavy.
- Layer half of the croissant pieces in the prepared baking dish. Scatter half of the apple slices evenly over the croissants.
- Pour half of the custard mixture over the croissants and apples, pressing lightly with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
- Repeat the process with the remaining croissants, apples, and custard, making sure everything is evenly coated.
- Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible. This soak time is key—I learned this trick during my college “Wednesday dinners” when prepping ahead saved me from last-minute kitchen panic.
- When ready to bake, remove the foil and drizzle the caramel sauce over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes, or until the custard is set and the top is golden brown. You should see the edges bubbling slightly, and a knife inserted in the center should come out clean.
- Let the bake cool for 10 minutes before serving. This rest time helps everything firm up just enough for perfect slices.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Caramel Apple Croissant Bake, recipe, cooking, food
