Looking for a comforting yet crowd-pleasing breakfast idea? This Blueberry-Almond Croissant Breakfast Bake takes inspiration from the indulgent almond croissant Hannaford bakery favorite and turns it into a golden, custardy casserole. With crisp croissant tops, juicy blueberries, and hints of vanilla and almond, it’s perfect for brunch, holidays, or lazy weekends. Whether you’re a fan of almond pastries or looking to use up a few stale croissants, this recipe delivers. We’ll dive into how it compares to bakery almond croissants, what makes it so satisfying, and tips for getting the best texture every time.
How a Bakery Favorite Inspired This Morning Magic
From Croissant Cravings to a Baked Brunch Dream
I still remember the first almond croissant I picked up from Hannaford on a foggy Mendocino morning. That golden crust, sweet almond filling, and flaky interior made it unforgettable. It was the kind of morning where coffee in hand and a warm pastry could reset your entire mood. That simple almond croissant hannaford moment sparked something for me, a desire to turn it into a shareable breakfast that brings comfort and convenience.
Back home, I had a few leftover croissants going stale. Instead of tossing them, I built a custard-style bake with blueberries, almond extract, and slivered almonds. The result was a blueberry-almond croissant breakfast bake, a cozy dish that felt like eating a warm hug. The inspiration may have been a bakery treat, but the result became our go-to for lazy weekends and holiday brunches.
Now every time I see that almond croissant hannaford display, I smile, not just because of how delicious it is, but because it reminds me of how that flavor transformed my breakfast game. When croissants start to go a little stale, they become the perfect base for a custardy bake. Whether you’re using store-bought or your own croissant sourdough bread, it just works.
Why This Recipe Is More Than Just a Bake
Unlike the calorie-heavy almond croissants from bakeries that often reach 400–500 calories, this version lets you enjoy those same flavors in a more balanced, fruit-filled way. The creamy custard mixture seeps into the croissant chunks, while the almonds on top get golden and crisp.
Bonus tip? Try it with your own easy croissant sourdough bread for extra depth and texture. Whether you’re new to the almond croissant scene or already a hannaford almond croissant fan, this bake captures the spirit in every bite.
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1 Best Almond Croissant Hannaford Bake – Irresistible Flavor
- Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Blueberry-Almond Croissant Breakfast Bake is inspired by the almond croissant Hannaford bakery classic. It’s a make-ahead, crowd-pleasing dish layered with custard-soaked croissants, juicy blueberries, and almond flavor in every bite. A warm, comforting brunch dish that brings bakery-level indulgence straight to your home kitchen.
Ingredients
Cooking spray
6 large croissants, cut into 1-inch chunks
2 cups frozen blueberries, thawed and gently patted dry
5 large eggs
2 cups half and half
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar (optional)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray.
Layer croissant chunks and blueberries evenly in the dish.
In a bowl, whisk together eggs, half and half, granulated sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, and almond extract.
Pour custard evenly over the croissants and berries. Gently press down to soak.
Top with sliced almonds.
Cover and refrigerate overnight (optional) or let sit 20 minutes.
Bake uncovered for 45–50 minutes, until puffed and golden.
Cool slightly, dust with confectioners’ sugar if desired, and serve warm.
Notes
Make ahead the night before for best texture.
You can substitute other berries like raspberries or chopped strawberries.
Try layering almond paste or frangipane for a richer bakery feel.
Best served warm, straight from the oven.
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 50 mins
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, French-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 125mg
Keywords: almond croissant hannaford, blueberry almond bake, croissant breakfast casserole, almond brunch recipe
Almond Croissant Recipe with a Breakfast Twist
What You’ll Need for This Blueberry-Almond Bake
This dish begins with croissants, either day-old bakery ones or leftovers from your own baking. You’ll need six large ones, chopped into bite-sized chunks. The magic comes from the custard: a rich mixture of eggs, half-and-half, granulated and brown sugars, vanilla, and almond extract. That almond flavor, reminiscent of a classic almond croissant recipe, infuses every bite.
You’ll also need two cups of blueberries. I recommend using frozen ones that have been thawed and gently patted dry to prevent sogginess. Don’t forget the sliced almonds for topping and a dusting of confectioners’ sugar if you like a finishing flourish.
Here’s a snapshot of the key ingredients:| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Croissants (large) | 6, chopped |
| Frozen blueberries | 2 cups, thawed |
| Eggs | 5 large |
| Half & Half | 2 cups |
| Almond extract | 1 tsp |
| Sliced almonds | 1/4 cup |
For a more intense bakery-style flavor, try layering in a smear of almond paste or frangipane between croissant chunks, just like you’d find in a traditional almond croissant hannaford experience.
Pro Prep Tips & Make-Ahead Tricks
This bake is best assembled the night before. That gives the croissants time to soak in all the custard and bake up fluffy on the inside, golden on top. Cover it with foil in the fridge, and in the morning, pop it in the oven at 350°F for about 45–50 minutes.
Want it extra crisp on top? Uncover it for the final 10 minutes. If you’re baking this after the holidays or using leftover pastries like chocolate chip croissant sourdough bread, just reduce the sugar slightly.
This almond croissant-inspired breakfast bake is flexible, flavorful, and a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. You can even repurpose croissants from your last almond croissant hannaford haul, it’s the perfect solution for day-old pastries.
Variations & Serving Ideas
Make It Your Own: Flavor Variations to Try
One of the best parts of this almond croissant Hannaford-inspired breakfast bake is how flexible it is. Don’t have blueberries? Swap them for raspberries, blackberries, or even chopped pears. Love citrus? Add a teaspoon of orange zest to the custard to enhance that almond flavor and brighten the dish.
For a richer twist, layer in cream cheese or mascarpone between croissant pieces before pouring on the custard. A few tablespoons of Nutella? Totally indulgent, and yes, highly recommended if you’re a chocolate fan. You can even toss in chocolate chips or use leftover sourdough dessert croissants from another bake.
If you’re looking for something that leans even more toward a bakery feel, try this with croissants filled with almond paste or use an almond croissant Hannaford directly, slice them up and layer in. The result? Pure luxury on a plate.
How to Serve This Beautiful Bake
Serve warm from the oven with a dusting of powdered sugar and maybe a drizzle of maple syrup. Add a side of whipped cream or vanilla yogurt for contrast. Fresh berries on top also bring a pop of color and acidity that balances the custard perfectly.
This bake is ideal for brunch tables, but it’s also wonderful reheated for weekday breakfasts. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, and reheat individual portions in the microwave or oven.
Want to keep it simple but still special? Serve with sourdough garlic toast for a sweet-and-savory brunch combo.
You don’t need to be a pastry chef to create something special. With just a few tweaks, your almond croissant Hannaford inspiration becomes a signature dish, fit for holidays, houseguests, or just your cozy Saturday morning.
FAQs + Final Thoughts on Almond Croissant Hannaford Bake
Frequently Asked Questions
Are almond croissants healthy?
Almond croissants are more of a treat than a health food. Traditional ones, like those from Hannaford, contain butter-rich dough, almond filling, and often a dusting of sugar, making them high in fat and calories. However, when you use them in a breakfast bake like this one, especially with fruit and portion control, it becomes a more balanced indulgence.
How many calories are in an almond croissant from a bakery?
The typical almond croissant Hannaford sells contains between 400–500 calories, depending on size and filling. This recipe serves multiple people, so each portion tends to fall closer to 250–300 calories with protein from eggs and fiber from fruit.
What is the filling inside an almond croissant?
It’s usually frangipane, a blend of almond flour, butter, sugar, and egg. For this breakfast bake, we mimic that flavor with almond extract and sliced almonds rather than full filling, keeping it light yet satisfying. For deeper flavor, you could layer in frangipane or almond paste.
Are almond croissants better toasted or cold?
Fresh bakery almond croissants are best warm, just like the flavors in this dish. Warming enhances the flaky texture and nutty aroma. That’s why this almond croissant Hannaford breakfast bake shines right out of the oven.
Make It Yours
Whether you’re drawn to this recipe for its simplicity, its use of leftovers, or its bakery-style flavor, it’s sure to become a new favorite. If you’ve got leftover pastries from a recent sourdough discard recipe experiment, even better, repurpose them deliciously.
Need more brunch-worthy inspiration? Try this with variations like croissant loaf sourdough or even flavored breads for a twist.
This isn’t just a way to use up extra croissants, it’s a way to bring the joy of an almond croissant Hannaford morning into your home, with warmth, love, and plenty of flavor.