This croissant bread pudding is the kind of breakfast worth waking up early on a Saturday morning for. Butter croissants are slathered with a generous amount of lemon curd butter then allowed to soak in an indulgent mixture of eggs, milk, cream and limoncello before baking, and then coming out crisp, golden and delicious. What a wonderful breakfast to wake up to!
Did you ever watch that show Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag where they reviewed and tested cookbooks by making dishes off of it and then having a professional chef come over to grade their work? I love that show. I would watch reruns over and over and never get tired of it.
Gordon Ramsay’s bread pudding
One time they featured Gordon Ramsay’s Family Fare
The recipe is scarce online too. I did find one that looks similar (I couldn’t be sure) and when I made it we loved it and it stayed in my recipe box. Over time though I experimented a bit and this version is my favourite by far.
My favourite bread pudding
It has lemons (no surprise there), I use butter croissants instead of baguette (I prefer the flavour already in the croissants and besides, we always have extra croissants from the big box we always end up buying from Costco) but of course I kept the booze (of course). It is outstanding. Just the kind of thing that would make us sleeping-in-on-the-weekends people wake up early on a Saturday morning.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Boozy, lemony, buttery croissant bread pudding worth waking up early for !” quote=”Boozy, lemony, buttery croissant bread pudding worth waking up early for !”]
Stale croissants
First you need stale (at least 2 days old) butter croissants. If you use fresh ones they’d be too soft and might fall apart once soaked in the custard. The ones we buy are big ones too, about 6 inches long, so I cut them in half lengthwise then crosswise.
Lemon curd butter
I then take lemon curd and mix it with some butter. Now I have lemon curd butter spread which I have to stop myself from eating; instead I spread it generously on the bottom of each croissant before I arrange each piece in my baking dish.
Speaking of, I don’t have any recommendations on specific dish size because I’ve used different sizes and they all worked well. I think the critical thing to remember is that it should be deep enough for all your bread to fit and be submerged in (the one on the pictures is approximately 5×10 inches and 2.5 inches deep).
Limoncello custard
Which brings us to the custard. Like most bread pudding, the custard mixture is a combination of milk, eggs and cream. There’s limoncello in this one and I have Chef Ramsay to thank for the idea of putting alcohol in bread puddings (genius).
Limoncello mixed with the custard just makes the custard so flavourful and wonderful. Don’t worry, you won’t taste the alcohol but it does make this an adult pudding (this can be your breakfast, the kids can have their chocolate pancakes).
Croissant bread pudding
So now you wait 20 minutes for the croissants to soak in all that goodness. Another 40 minutes in the oven. Once it’s out put some lemon curd glaze on top and I promise what you’ll have is the most fantastic lemon butter croissant bread pudding. Blueberries sprinkled all over is just an added bonus.
So this Saturday, get up early and wake up the rest of the house with the smell of croissant bread pudding baking in the oven.
Croissant Bread Pudding with Lemon Butter and Blueberries
Notes
Tip on the dish to use – assemble your cut croissants in the dish you’re planning to use first. If they all fit and they can easily be submerged by the custard, you’re good.
Make sure the croissants absorb the custard properly. If your bread still looks dry after 20 minutes, press down gently and soak for another 10 minutes or so.
Check your pudding at the halfway mark. If you think the tops are getting a little too brown too fast, you can loosely cover it with aluminum foil and continue baking.
You can check for doneness by gently peeking in the middle of your bread pudding with a knife or fork. If liquid comes out or if it’s still too mushy, adjust your bake time.
Ingredients
For the Pudding:
- 4 pieces 6-inch butter croissants, cut into quarters (slice half lengthwise then crosswise)
- 1/4 cup salted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons lemon curd
- 1/4 cup dried blueberries
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups milk, room temperature
- 3 tablespoons limoncello
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
For the Glaze:
- 1 teaspoon lemon curd
Instructions
For the Pudding:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Mix 1/4 cup butter and 2 tablespoons lemon curd until fully incorporated. Spread the croissant slices with the lemon curd butter mixture and arrange on baking dish in overlapping layers. Sprinkle 1/4 cup dried blueberries between layers and all over the top. Set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk 3 eggs and 1/4 cup sugar until smooth and creamy. Add 1 1/4 cups heavy cream, 1 1/4 cups milk, 3 tablespoons limoncello and 1 teaspoon lemon zest and stir until well combined. Pour this mixture gently into your baking dish, making sure each croissant is submerged. Gently press down if necessary. Allow the croissants to soak in the custard for about 20 minutes.
- Put the baking dish in a roasting pan filled with hot water that goes halfway up the sides of the dish. Bake for 40-60 minutes or until golden brown and the inside of the pudding is set.
For the Glaze:
- Microwave 1 teaspoon lemon curd for about 15 seconds to make it easier to spread. Once the bread pudding is out of the oven and still warm, spread the glaze on top of the pudding immediately.
Happy baking!
Did you make this croissant bread pudding? Tell me about it in the comments section below. I’d love to hear all about it. What’s your favourite thing to make/eat for breakfast on a Saturday or any day? Here’s The Ultimate List of Breakfast Ideas if you can’t decide!
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David says
I would love to try this but I’m not sure about my cooking skills, would love to taste it. Blueberries make the recipe perfect.
Jolina says
This is not difficult at all to do David 🙂 I always tell everyone that if I can do it then anybody can 🙂 Hope you give it a shot!
janella panchamsingh says
my stomach says get in my belly! this looks so yummt and because its a croissant it is probably super light!
Jolina says
Hi Janella! Come to think of it, yeah there is a lightness – so to speak – to this pudding. The croissants are flakey to begin with 🙂
Rose Sahetapy says
I’ve never tried bread pudding made out of croissant. It’s interesting ingredients of the custard especially because lemoncello is also one of them. This would perfect for my afternoon tea.
Jolina says
Croissant as bread pudding is a revelation 🙂 And lately I’ve been putting limoncello on everything haha. I just love it. Hope you get to try this recipe Rose!
Freya Farrington says
oh eemmm gee!!! I would HAPPILY wake up to this every morning for breakfast! Looks delicious!
Jolina says
Lol! OMG indeed 🙂 Just thinking of how this would make your kitchen smell is already a wonderful thought 🙂 Thanks Freya
Charlotte says
The recipe looks fab, and gorgeous pictures too x
Jolina says
Thanks very much Charlotte! Happy Thursday! 🙂
Louisa says
Looks absolutely delicious! For an unlikely baker you sure do come up with the most delicious looking dishes!
Jolina says
Hi Louisa! Thanks, I try my best to get better at it 🙂 And my oh my, if you can only see the kitchen while I’m in there or all the poor dishes that didn’t make it to the blog lol!
Jessica says
You don’t know how much I love blueberries. Ice Cream, spread and for bread! I should try this and will tell you if it will look and taste as good as yours. 🙂
Jolina says
Nice! I must tell you this is more lemony than blueberry, blueberries are just the bonus 🙂 But I think you will still like it because blueberries and lemons go perfectly together. Let me know how it goes!
Nicolas Puegher says
This looks pretty good let me tell you, never done something like this but I can give it a try. I think that this weekend I will buy the ingredients and make it, cooking at weekends is super relaxing and awesome 🙂
Jolina says
Awesome! This recipe is really easy. 🙂 Hope you like it! Let me know how your weekend cooking goes. Thanks Nicolas!
Renee @ The Good Hearted Woman says
Bread pudding is one of my favorite things in life, and this sounds fabulous! Pinning and making as soon as possible!
Jolina says
Hi Renee. I was not a big fan (always preferred pancakes) but I am now! 🙂 Thanks for pinning.
Christine - Jar Of Lemons says
THIS LOOKS AMAZING! Like seriously, I need this right now. Yum! Also, I feel like I really need to start watching this show!
Jolina says
Thanks Christine! They canned the show and I hardly catch reruns now 🙁 I think episodes might still be available online though. It was a great show.
Liz Mays says
Ooh, this would be a real treat! I’d love to try it. The lemon/blueberry flavors sound really nice.
Jolina says
It is! I seriously wake up earlier than usual for this 🙂 Hope you get the chance to try it. Thanks Liz!
Tess says
Omg I also loved that show, it was so good!! Now I want to watch it lol. I wish I would have seen the episode where they did this bread pudding because it looks amazing and anything with lemon is a winner in my eyes!
Jolina says
Right? Those two were hilarious. Like I wanted to be their friend lol. And I seriously wanted to buy all the cookbooks that had their stamp of approval haha 🙂
Ana De- Jesus says
OMG have I died and woke up in a fantasy because this croissant/ bread pudding fusion looks amazing and I can’t wait to try it.
Jolina says
Croissants are unusual for puddings but they are great! 🙂 Thanks Ana!
Kerry says
I am actually baking some cakes for my cousins garden party next week, we are all bringing something so I might just give this a go! Think the family would love it, it looks delicious!
Jolina says
That sounds great! This is really simple to make. Hope you and the family like it! Let me know how it goes 🙂
Eloise says
Holy frickin YUM YUM Batman! This I will have to try… the only thing is I love croissants so much that waiting for them to get stale will be tricky!
Jolina says
LOL! Yes that is a challenge 🙂 We tend to buy a big box of them that we can never eat by the expiration date so… 🙂
Kari says
This looks so delicious and easy to make!
Kari
http://www.sweetteasweetie.com
Jolina says
Thanks Kari! It is very straightforward. Just a little waiting and then getting rewarded at the end 🙂
Francis H Powell says
Now this looks delicious. I live in France and only eat croissants occasionally. This reminds me of the kind of puddings I used to like when I was a child living in Britain. I used to love Bread pudding. Don’t recall ever eating croissant bread cooking, I am sure I would try it given half a chance.
Jolina says
I’d love to visit France. And I’m sure I’ll eat my fair share of croissants when I’m there lol! This bread pudding is unusual in a good way, hope you like it when you get the chance to try it!
Nate the Nomad says
It sounds delicious! The perfect combination of three things I love – croissants, lemon and custard. I have to try it very soon, but I can also get up late and bake it. I am a lover of breakfast in the afternoon 😀
Jolina says
That’s an excellent point Nate! As adults, we can eat breakfast anytime we want lol! In fact, I eat this for lunch and dinner too haha.
Subhadrika Sen says
I have tasted croissants . but not pudding. I would like to make it and try it at home. Thanks for the share.
Jolina says
The two put together is a good combo Subhadrika! Hope you like it 🙂
Tina Marie says
Oh My! My family is going to really enjoy this recipe. You can’t go wrong.
Jolina says
No you really can’t 🙂 Though one time I under baked it…I just put it back in the oven for another 10 minutes or so and that solved my problem!
Tara says
Croissants definitely take this bread pudding to the next level. Such a great way to start the day! That lemon curd butter sounds perfect.
Jolina says
It really does! And the limoncello too I would say, but don’t listen to me I love lemons so I’m biased lol 🙂
Suchi @elegantmeraki says
This is crazy good!! Bread pudding made with croissants with lemon butter!! feels like you custom made this more me!!
Jolina says
Yes especially for lemon lovers like us Suchi! This is crazy good if I say so myself 🙂
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I just so happen to have a box of croissants in my freezer and this would be the perfect way to use them before it’s too late. Love the combination of lemon curd and blueberries. That sounds wonderful. Pinning this one!
Jolina says
Aha! Perfect timing 🙂 And berries are in season too 🙂 Thanks for pinning Ali! Hope you enjoy this.
Ashley - Forking Up says
Oh my god. Croissant bread pudding sounds INCREDIBLE. I love crossants but never thought to put them in a dessert!
Jolina says
It is kind of unusual isn’t it? But trust me it works and it’s so good! Hope you can try the recipe sometime and let me know what you think 🙂
Kate @ Veggie Desserts says
What an AMAZING way to use up stale croissants. Such a lovely recipe.
Jolina says
Thanks Kate! It would be a shame to waste awesome (albeit stale!) bread 🙂
rika says
Awesome recipe! I love croissant with lots of butter!
Jolina says
Oh yeah. Warm croissant with butter just melting perfectly on top of it. Yum! 🙂
Jessie says
It looks so yummy, wow! I’m a terrible cook, but I love the recipe, so maybe I’ll try it out. Thanks for sharing!
Jolina says
Hi Jessie! I can’t cook to save my life seriously and that is why I learned to bake lol! Is that weird? But my point is, if I can do this anyone can 🙂 Hope you give it a go!
Kristen says
I LOVE croissants! I eat them all the time! I am totally going to make this!
Jolina says
OMG us too. We really shouldn’t buy that big box but they are just so delicious aren’t they? 🙂 Let me know how you like the pudding! Thanks Kristen 🙂
Bling and Butterflies says
Oh my this sounds amazing! It must smell Devine going through the house. I’m going to give this a go next weekend…
Jolina says
Yes. The smell of this baking in the oven is just wonderful 🙂 Makes you hungry 🙂 Let me know how it goes!
Edward Traversa says
This looks fantastic, Must try this recipe.
Jolina says
Thanks Edward! Hope you like it. Let me know how it goes 🙂
Carrie says
Love a bread bake like this for breakfast on the weekend. And made with croissant? Perfection!!
Jolina says
It’s great to just put everything in a dish and bake it and voila! Pudding 🙂 Hope you get to try the recipe Carrie! 🙂
Klauss says
I do not know why, but I am feeling so that I know what it tastes 🙂 As if I tried something similar in childhood. Anyway another lovely recipe!
Jolina says
Hi Klauss! Maybe you have 🙂 Why don’t you try the recipe and find out for sure? 🙂 You are most welcome and thanks for passing by!
Melanie says
This looks so delicious. Ice cream on top would be perfect great post
Jolina says
Ice cream would push it over the edge! Yum 🙂 Thanks Melanie!
Shreya says
Looks scrumptious!
Jolina says
Thanks Shreya! Hope you get the chance to try it 🙂
Ashlee says
I could LIVE off bread pudding and I love that this is different than regular bread pudding. Looks so good!!
Jolina says
Come to think of it, me too! 🙂 There are so many different ways to do it too. This one is my favourite 🙂 Thanks Ashlee!
soniya Saluja says
Now this, this is fantastic. Pass me a bowl.
Jolina says
Thanks Soniya. I’m afraid you’ll have to fight for that bowl lol! Lots of bread pudding lovers here 🙂
Ahu @ Ahu Eats says
YUM! I have always made bread pudding with different types of bread, but never croissant. And as a lemon lover this is really singing to me!
Jolina says
Croissant already has great flavour on its own so it’s great as a pudding 🙂 Hope you try the recipe and let me know what you think! Thanks Ahu!
Caitlin Culver says
I think the hardest part of this recipe for me would be allowed the croissant to get stale – they are so darn delish! When I get the will power to do that, I’ll make sure to try it! And it looks so customizable, too. I could see myself using all sorts of fruit depending on what’s in season or what tickles my fancy on any given day. Thanks for sharing, Jolina!
Jolina says
LOL! You’re not the first person to say that haha. And yes, it’s a real problem! And yes, you can use strawberries or apricots (though you may need to switch up the liqueur you use, not sure how they pair up with limoncello). Thanks Caitlin!
Kim @ Three Olives Branch says
I am not really a bread pudding fan, but everything about this has completely changed my mind (at least in this case)! This definitely needs to happen. I love all of these things: croissants, lemons, blueberries. Yum!
Jolina says
This might just make a fan out of you Kim! 🙂
angelina says
This looks AMAZING! Seriously drooling.
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Jolina says
Thanks Angelina! You drooling I will take as a good sign lol!
Danielle says
First and foremost, your post title reeled me in to the point that I couldn’t click fast enough. I absolutely LOOOVE bread pudding and my stomach is growling for this. It looks so delcious and your photos are beautiful!!
Jolina says
LOL that made my day Danielle! 🙂 Hope you get the chance to make this. It’s really quite wonderful. And thanks for the kind words on the photos. I’m always working on a deadline – me wanting to eat vs. getting a good photo haha.
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
This croissant bread pudding is something I would love to wake up to. Deliciously over the top breakfast! Pinned!
Jolina says
Absolutely 🙂 Thanks very much for the pin Nicoletta!
Dawn @ Girl Heart Food says
I’ve seen that show before, but haven’t recently. Oh my goodness…I would GLADLY get up early on Saturday morning if I got to have this. Talk about taking it over the top with croissants and them lemon curd butter!! This is just simply divine! Pinning to try real soon 🙂
Jolina says
Yeah, they’ve stopped running the reruns too. So sad, I really liked it! Anyway…hope you get the chance to try this bread pudding Dawn! Thanks for the pin 🙂
Elzabeth says
Great way to serve croissant. I like your idea!
Jolina says
Thanks Elizabeth! We always have extra croissants at the house 🙂