We begin the new school year with a lot of hype. I make a big production about new school supplies, school clothes, and The Bean's new schedule. I try to make the first day of school memorable with a big breakfast that my daughter enjoys. In the past, it was pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. As she has grown in taste and sophistication, she has discovered she enjoys chocolate croissants from Starbucks. Perhaps it is because she views everything from Starbucks as cool and trendy, but my reluctant eater is willing to try new things if it is on Starbucks' menu.
Keeping with the chocolate croissant idea, I made a chocolate croissant casserole for her big breakfast on her first day of school. I found this recipe on the website Plain Chicken. This recipe includes everything she enjoys: chocolate, croissants, and cream cheese. What I liked about the recipe is that it could be made the night before, popped in the oven when I awakened, and ready in forty minutes. My favorite human bean enjoyed a hot, sit-down breakfast with her parents, and we sent her off to school with a full belly and a smile.
Chocolate Croissant Casserole
Ingredients:
1 10-13 ounce package bakery croissants
1 10-ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chips
2 8-ounce packages of cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/3 cups of sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups of milk
Directions:
-Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
-Prepare a 9 x 13 baking dish with butter
-Tear croissants into bite-size pieces and layer into the prepared baking dish
-Sprinkle with chocolate chips
-In a large mixing bowl, using a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, milk, eggs, and vanilla until smooth
-Pour the cream cheese mixture over the croissants
-Cover and place in the refrigerator
-Allow to set for 20 minutes or overnight
-Bake in a preheated oven for 35-45 minutes or until the center is set
-Serve warm
To add protein, I served it with sausage links. To create a cafe experience, I also made a sweet cup of coffee for my favorite kid. She appreciated the gesture, which added a celebratory vibe to what could have been a stressful morning. It's the little things that make one feel special and loved. I don't believe anyone is more loved than my girl. She is worth every ounce of effort.
This recipe would be excellent for a Christmas morning breakfast or brunch with friends and family. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. On this steamy summer day, stay safe, be smart, celebrate the small things, make those you love feel appreciated, and keep washing your hands.
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