Stuffed Croissant French Toast with Marshmallow Creme

Stuffed croissant French toast with marshmallow creme is pure indulgence. It’s an excellent recipe for a birthday breakfast or a brunch treat after an especially long week. The recipe follows the method for classic French toast—soak bread in eggy custard, fry, then devour—but replaces the plain toast with buttery, flaky, decadent croissants. As a bonus, it’s a great way to use up day-old pastry, as the dry texture will absorb extra custard.

The star of the recipe? The fluffy, sweet, gooey marshmallow-flavored filling. Like marshmallows in s’mores, marshmallow creme works as a rather delicious glue between two layers of croissant. Though the stuffed, glazed, piled-up French toast looks like a $30 brunch, it’ll take you just 15 minutes to make.

Ingredients for Stuffed Croissant French Toast with Marshmallow Creme

• Half-and-half: You don’t need cream to make custard. Half-and-half is plenty thick so that you won’t end up with watery custard.
• Egg yolks: Egg yolks make the richest custard. Separate the egg whites from the yolks while cold, and reserve the whites for another use, such as omelets or meringue.
• Brown sugar: Light or dark brown sugar has a delicious molasses flavor and is moister than plain sugar. To measure brown sugar properly, be sure to pack it into the measuring cup using a spatula or the back of a spoon.
• Vanilla extract: The best vanilla extract brands have ineffable, aromatic flavor.
• Spices: No surprises here, just use classic baking spices: warm, cozy ground cinnamon and nutmeg, plus a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
• Croissants: Use day-old croissants; the slightly dry pastry will absorb the egg mixture best and will be sturdier to fry.
• Cream cheese: Mixing cream cheese into the marshmallow creme makes it thicker and more spreadable. The tangy dairy also offsets the marshmallow’s sweetness.
• Marshmallow Fluff: The brand-named Marshmallow Fluff is a slightly thicker marshmallow creme than other brands, but you can use any marshmallow creme here. Use leftover creme on toast, pancakes, graham crackers, as a dip for fruit, or in any number of recipes with marshmallow creme.
• Toppings: If you want to gild the lily, add butter, maple syrup, fresh berries and/or confectioners’ sugar.

Directions

Step 1: Make the custard and prep the griddle

In a shallow dish, whisk together the half-and-half, egg yolks, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Preheat a greased griddle over medium heat.

Editor’s Tip: To test if the griddle is hot enough, flick some water at the pan. If the droplets sizzle and scoot across the surface, the griddle is ready.

Step 2: Soak the croissants

Dip the croissant halves into the egg mixture, letting them soak for 5 to 10 seconds on each side before flipping. Let the excess drain off.

Step 3: Cook the French toast

Cook the French toast on the griddle until the croissants are golden brown, then flip to cook the other side.

Step 4: Make the marshmallow topping

In a bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the marshmallow creme until well combined.

Step 5: Assemble the French toast

To serve, place one piece of French toast on a plate. Top with a generous dollop of marshmallow filling and a second slice of French toast. If desired, drizzle with maple syrup and top with fresh berries and confectioners’ sugar.

Stuffed Croissant French Toast with Marshmallow Creme Variations

• Change the bread: You can use any bread for stuffed French toast, such as brioche, white bread, sandwich bread, pullman loaf, milk bread or even cinnamon raisin bread.
• Go lemony: Skip the cinnamon and nutmeg, and add lemon zest to the custard. Add a squeeze of lemon to the cream cheese before stirring in the marshmallow creme.
• Appease chocolate lovers: Omit the cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir a tablespoon of cocoa powder into the custard mixture. Add mini chocolate chips to the marshmallow filling or to the top of the toast.
• Go sweet-and-savory: Sprinkle bacon bits over the French toast for a savory twist.

How to Store Stuffed Croissant French Toast with Marshmallow Creme

Store any leftover croissant French toast in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to store each element separately, so if you know you won’t be able to finish all the French toast, refrigerate the custard mixture and cream cheese marshmallow mix in their own containers. Keep the dry croissants in a bag on the counter.

How long will this croissant French toast last?

Leftover cooked French toast will get soggy quickly, but you can store it for up to one day. Heat it in the microwave or in a pan on the stovetop. If you have kept all the components separate, store them in the fridge for up to two days. Give the custard a good stir before dunking the croissants and making fresh French toast. Whisk the marshmallow mix before dolloping.

Stuffed Croissant French Toast with Marshmallow Creme Tips

What if I don’t have day-old croissants?

If you don’t have day-old croissants, toasting fresh croissants will dry them out. Slice them in half and bake them at 300°F for a few minutes, until the surface is dry but not browned.

What else can you serve with stuffed croissant French toast?

Lean into the decadence! Serve the stuffed croissant French toast alongside other brunch recipes, like scrambled or fried eggs, sausage or bacon. Don’t forget plenty of hot coffee or tea and any type of fruit salad as a refreshing finish. We also like serving the croissant French toast as a birthday breakfast—leave the toast open-faced and stick a candle into the marshmallow creme.