This butter pecan croissant bread pudding comes together in a flash and is perfect for an easy and delicious dessert or for a special holiday breakfast or brunch.
Why you'll love the croissant bread pudding
Cozy evenings at home over the holidays are perfect for an easy and warming dessert like this Butter Pecan Croissant Bread Pudding. It's comfort food at its holiday special best.
And since the holidays are a time when special meals extend to all times of the day, I think this one would be right at home for brunch or Christmas morning breakfast, as well.
Making bread pudding with croissants is always a special treat. Of course, it's a perfect way to use day-old or stale croissants, as well. The best part for me is the way the croissants provide a crispy top with a creamy, custardy bottom. A nice and delicious contrast. Enjoy this one warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Key Ingredients
Croissants - for best results, be sure your croissants are NOT super fresh, to avoid a mushy bread pudding. Day old or slightly stale croissants are perfect. If you have time, cut them in half an hour or more ahead and leave cut side up on the counter to dry out the insides a bit, too.
If you only have fresher croissants on hand, you can simulate the day-old croissant by lightly toasting the croissant halves or cubes.
Milk, Half and Half and Heavy Cream - feel free to adjust the amounts of each, to your taste or what you have on hand. You can also omit one and replace with another. As long as you end up with the total amount of liquid, it will be fine. (Of course, using the heavier creams will make for a richer bread pudding).
Cook's Notes
- If your dish is slightly larger than the one used here, simply add another croissant or two and scale up the amount of custard a bit.
- Croissant bread pudding looks prettiest when the croissants are left whole (or halved), but you can also cut the croissants into 1-inch chunks, if you prefer. For croissant chunks, cut the ahead of time and place in a large bowl on the counter to dry out for at least 1 hour or longer.
How to serve this bread pudding
For dessert, you can serve this bread pudding with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. If you want a really special and decadent dessert, crème anglaise (warm vanilla sauce) would definitely do that. A warm caramel sauce would also be extra special.
Alternately, for breakfast or brunch, a dusting of icing/confectioners' sugar would be nice.
The flavours of this bread pudding would be lovely with browned breakfast sausage or bacon.
Making Ahead and Storing
You can assemble a croissant bread pudding ahead, cover and place into the refrigerator up to 8 hours (or overnight).
Store leftover in the refrigerator up to 3 days.
Recipe
Butter Pecan Croissant Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- 6 day-old croissants, *see Note 1 below
Custard:
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup half and half cream, 10% bf
- 1 cup heavy cream, 35% bf
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 4 large eggs
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Topping:
- 1/3 cup butter, cut in to 6 cubes
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2-3/4 cup pecan pieces
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Grease a shallow baking dish about 9x13-ish-oval (or close, such as 8x11 rectangle etc.)
- Cut croissants in half. Place the bottoms of the croissants over the bottom of your pan, trying to fill as much of the bottom evenly as possible, overlapping just slightly, if necessary. Place the top halves of the croissants randomly overtop. (*Alternately, you can cut the croissants into 1-inch cubes, if you prefer)
- Prepare the custard by combining all the custard ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk well to combine. Pour the custard mixture over croissants (or croissant cubes) in pan. The liquid should come up a little more than halfway, leaving most of the croissant tops exposed. Let stand and soak about 5-10 minutes, while you prepare the topping.
- Prepare the topping by combining the butter and brown sugar. Cut the butter into the brown sugar with a pastry cutter or just use your fingers to rub the butter into the brown sugar until you have a crumb mixture. Scatter the crumb mixture overtop of the croissants, focusing on the areas between the croissant tops. Scatter the pecan pieces overtop as well. (*You can prepare up to this point, cover and refrigerate up to 8 hours or overnight).
- Bake in preheated oven for about 45-50 minutes, checking at the 35-40 minute mark and loosely covering the top with a sheet of aluminum foil, if the croissant tops are getting too brown. Be sure to test for doneness by inserting a spoon and lifting to make sure the bottom is moderately set, as it make look done due to the brown top, but the underneath may still be runny. When filling is set, remove from oven and let stand 5-10 minutes before serving warm. Nice with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!
Notes
- Day-old or stale croissants are recommended. If you have the time, cut in half ahead of time, to dry the insides a bit, too. If you only have fresher croissants, you can dry by lightly toasting the croissant half (or cubes) ahead.
- You can change up the milk/half and half/cream ratio and/or omit one or the other, as you like, as long as you end up with the same total amount of liquid. Obviously, omitting the cream or creams will result in a less rich bread pudding.
Nutrition
Nutritional information provided for general guidance only and should not be relied upon to make personal health decisions.
Hi! I'm Jennifer, a home-cook of many years and a lifelong seeker of delicious food! I'm an equal opportunity eater. I enjoy eating all the foods!
Hannah says
If I make the night before and need to reheat for brunch the next day, how should I warm it up?
Jennifer says
Hi Hannah, just pop it into a 350F oven and lay a piece of aluminum foil loosely over the top (so it doesn't brown) and heat until warmed through. It will probably only take 10-15 minutes, as you don't need it super hot. Enjoy :)
Hannah says
Thank you! Planning on making it for this weekend. :)
Nancy M Long says
Can't wait to try this - could you post info on your oval baking pan?
Jennifer says
Hi Nancy, I collect random pieces of copper and this is one of those, probably acquired at a 2nd hand store :) I love the shape and it's a perfect size for desserts like this. It's about 9 inches across the middle and 13 inches long. It's very similar to this one on Etsy - https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/1044504658/old-dutch-copper-oval-cooking-pan-10?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_ca_en_ca_a-home_and_living-kitchen_and_dining-cookware-other&utm_custom1=_k_CjwKCAjwzOqKBhAWEiwArQGwaH-T4KFVH8T94MvDdbnazRo9SijkLc8KuPieB3-ayAf7bqHgYfSeVhoChYcQAvD_BwE_k_&utm_content=go_318297285_19408648125_75056611005_pla-305374519656_c__1044504658enca_443264121&utm_custom2=318297285&gclid=CjwKCAjwzOqKBhAWEiwArQGwaH-T4KFVH8T94MvDdbnazRo9SijkLc8KuPieB3-ayAf7bqHgYfSeVhoChYcQAvD_BwE
Pat says
Made this tonight after dinner.did exactly as you said the dish came out very well..thanks...oh you are my go to girl. Not one recipe that does not turn out well..
Happy New Year! Keep them coming.
Pat
Jennifer says
Happy to hear, Pat :) Thanks so much!
James says
Excellent Recipe.
Tonight my wife and I had her parents for Supper. I did Smoked Pork Chops with Smoked Potatoes and Onions. Then for Dessert I made this dish, with Drunken Whipped Cream. 10 in. Cast Iron was used and we had no leftovers. Thanks again.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, James! Thanks :)
Laura | Tutti Dolci says
You had me at butter pecan, such a dreamy bread pudding!
Jennifer says
Thanks Laura :)
Janice Burgess says
Happy New Year
Delicious!!!!! I made this bread pudding for New Years dessert. It was a big hit!! I am definitely making this again. Thanks for posting this recipe.
Jennifer says
So glad to hear, Janice! It's a favourite of mine for the holidays. So easy and tasty :)
[email protected] says
This will kick off Christmas in style! Gorgeous bread pudding, my friend! Nothing left to say but Happy Holidays!!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Annie and to you as well :)
Dawn - Girl Heart Food says
I have a different bread pudding recipe coming up tomorrow, but let me tell you, Jennifer, this looks AMAZING!!!! Buttery croissants with pecans and cream and all that goodness? YES PLEASE! That's what dreams are made of, my friend! Perfect for Christmas morning with lots and lots of coffee :)
Jennifer says
Thanks Dawn and can't wait to see your bread pudding!
sue | theviewfromgreatisland says
Gorgeous dessert, as always, and the butter pecan flavor is a favorite of mine. That pan just made it to the top of my wish list!
Jennifer says
Thanks Sue and yes, I find so many uses for that pan :)
Mimi says
WOW! My teeth hurt looking at this stunning presentation, but i bet it's so good!!! Now to find some croissants...
Jennifer says
Lol! Thanks Mimi :)
Milena | Craft Beering says
I love this recipe! I think I will try it out for Christmas Day breakfast and will sub the milk with milk stout:) for the toasty, malty flavor infusion. And the crunch of the buttery, candied pecans, yum! Merry Christmas, Jennifer, to you and yours!
Jennifer says
Thanks Milena and yes, milk stout would be perfect with these flavours!
Lisa Cassell-Arms says
This looks fabulous! We love bread pudding of all kinds- I may have to try this over the holiday! Thank you :)
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Lisa :)
Cathi says
I just made this, and added raisins between the bottoms and tops. I’ll let you know how it is. Hopefully yummy!
Jennifer says
Sounds lovely, Cathi! Enjoy :)
Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says
You've got me absolutely drooling Jennifer! I'm a HUGE fan of bread pudding with croissants! And pecans are my all time favorite nut! I'll definitely be giving this a try! Happy Holidays to you and your family!
Jennifer says
Thanks Mary Ann and to you, as well!
Tricia @ Saving Room for Dessert says
I can't stop looking at this gorgeous pan of deliciousness Jennifer. What a fantastic dessert, and a beautiful presentation. So creative and no doubt delicious. Sharing, pinning and wishing I had a bowl, with ice cream of course! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas Jennifer - and a very Happy New Year!
Jennifer says
Thanks so much, Tricia :)
Chris Scheuer says
This is gorgeous and sound amazing, Jennifer! I love that you leave the croissants whole. I have a breakfast casserole made with croissants. I might have to try that next time.c
Jennifer says
Thanks Chris and yes, croissants are just so pretty. Hated to cut them up :)