Christmas Croissant Dessert Food

CHRISTMAS CROISSANT PUDDING WITH SOUR CREAM AND BROWN SUGAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300°F. Generously butter 8-cup pudding mold, metal bowl, or soufflé dish and sprinkle with sugar. Combine milk, butter, and 1/2 cup sugar in heavy medium pot. Scrape in seeds from vanilla bean; add bean. Simmer gently over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves and mixture is fragrant, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes (do not boil). Remove pot from heat; cover and let steep 15 minutes. Remove vanilla bean. Whisk eggs in large bowl to blend. Gradually whisk in hot milk mixture.
• Whisk flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, and salt in very large bowl to blend. Add croissant pieces, prunes, raisins, almonds, and lemon peel. Toss until croissant pieces are evenly coated and mixture is well blended. Pour milk mixture over. Let soak 10 minutes.
• Transfer croissant mixture to prepared baking dish, pressing to pack mixture into dish. Cover dish with plastic wrap and place in roasting pan. Pour enough hot water into roasting pan to come halfway up sides of baking dish. Cover roasting pan with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Oven-steam pudding until custard is set and pudding is puffed, about 2 hours. Carefully remove aluminum foil (steam will be released). Transfer covered pudding to rack and cool 1 hour. (Pudding can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Resteam in 300°F oven 45 minutes to heat through before serving.)
• Whisk sour cream, brown sugar, and orange peel in medium bowl to blend. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Remove plastic wrap from warm pudding. Invert onto rimmed platter. Pour brandy over pudding. Carefully ignite brandy. When flames subside, slice pudding into wedges and serve with dollop of sour cream and brown sugar sauce.

CHRISTMAS MORNING CROISSANTS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water; let stand for 5 minutes. Melt 1/4 cup butter; set aside. Combine 1 cup flour, sugar and salt; add to yeast mixture. Add the milk, 1 egg and melted butter; beat until smooth. , Place remaining flour in a large bowl; cut in remaining butter until crumbly. Add yeast mixture; mix well. Do not knead. Cover and refrigerate overnight. , Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead about six times. Divide dough into four pieces. Roll each piece into a 16-in. circle; cut each circle into eight wedges. , Roll up wedges from the wide ends and place point side down 3 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Curve ends to form crescents. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour. , Beat water and remaining egg; brush over rolls. Bake at 325° for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.

CROISSANT BREAD PUDDING

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the whole eggs, egg yolks, half-and-half, sugar, and vanilla. Set the custard mixture aside. Slice the croissants in half horizontally. In a 10 by 15 by 2 1/2-inch oval baking dish, distribute the bottoms of the sliced croissants, then add the raisins, then the tops of the croissants (brown side up), being sure the raisins are between the layers of croissants or they will burn while baking. Pour the custard over the croissants and allow to soak for 10 minutes, pressing down gently.
• Place the pan in a larger one filled with 1-inch of hot water. Cover the larger pan with aluminum foil, tenting the foil so it doesn't touch the pudding. Cut a few holes in the foil to allow steam to escape. Bake for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake for 40 to 45 more minutes or until the pudding puffs up and the custard is set. Remove from the oven and cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature.

CHRISTMAS CROISSANT DESSERT

Steps:

• Butter a 9x13 glass baking dish. Cut croissants on an angle in 1 inch slices. Arrange in baking dish layering cut-side down. Sprinkle chocolate chunks and cherries on top.
• In a separate bowl mix yolks, eggs, cream, Baily's, vanilla, sugar and salt. Pour mixture over croissants. Sprinkle a little raw sugar on top.
• Bake in 300 degree oven for 30-40 minutes Serve warm.

CREAM CHEESE CROISSANT DESSERT

Steps:

• Preheat overn to 350 degrees.
• Lightly grease a 9X13 baking dish.
• Open and unroll one package of croissants (do not flatten) and lay at the bottom of the pan. (pinch together the perforated edges as needed.).
• In a bowl, mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg yolk until smooth.
• Spread mixture on top of croissant.
• Open the second package of croissants, unroll and lay on top of cream cheese mixture.
• Place in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes (or until the top layer is very lightly browned).
• Immediately after baking, brush the top with egg white and sprinkly with remaining sugar.
• *I sometimes add a little cinnamon to the top as well.