Easy & Delicious Crescent Breakfast Squares: The Perfect Brunch Recipe!

Breakfast just got a whole lot easier and more delicious with these Crescent Breakfast Squares! Imagine flaky, buttery crescent dough layered with savory breakfast fillings like sausage, bacon, ham, eggs, cheese, and veggies. It’s a customizable, crowd-pleasing dish that’s perfect for weekend brunch, holiday gatherings, or even a quick weeknight dinner. This recipe is ridiculously simple to make, uses readily available ingredients, and will have everyone asking for seconds. Let’s dive into the details!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

* **Easy to Make:** Seriously, even beginner cooks can nail this recipe. It requires minimal prep and comes together quickly.
* **Customizable:** The beauty of Crescent Breakfast Squares is that you can tailor the fillings to your preferences and dietary needs. Want vegetarian? No problem! Craving a specific type of cheese? Go for it!
* **Crowd-Pleasing:** These squares are always a hit! The combination of flaky crust and savory filling is irresistible.
* **Great for Leftovers:** If you happen to have any leftovers (which is unlikely!), they reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** You can assemble the squares ahead of time and bake them later, making it perfect for busy mornings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what you’ll need to create these delectable Crescent Breakfast Squares:

* **Crescent Roll Dough:** Two cans (8 ounces each) of refrigerated crescent roll dough. Pillsbury is a popular choice, but any brand will work. Make sure they are the seamless sheets if possible, if not press the seams together gently.
* **Sausage:** 1 pound of breakfast sausage (bulk or links, casings removed). You can use regular, mild, hot, or even turkey sausage.
* **Eggs:** 6 large eggs. These form the base of the filling.
* **Milk or Cream:** 1/4 cup of milk or heavy cream. This adds richness and helps to create a smooth egg mixture.
* **Cheese:** 2 cups of shredded cheese. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or a combination of your favorites all work well.
* **Onion:** 1/2 cup of chopped onion. Adds flavor and texture. Yellow or white onion is best.
* **Bell Pepper:** 1/2 cup of chopped bell pepper (any color). Adds sweetness and color.
* **Garlic:** 2 cloves minced garlic. Adds a pungent, savory note.
* **Salt and Pepper:** To taste. Essential for seasoning.
* **Optional Add-ins:** Bacon (cooked and crumbled), ham (diced), mushrooms (sauteed), spinach (wilted), tomatoes (diced), jalapenos (minced), herbs (fresh or dried).

Equipment You’ll Need

* **9×13 inch Baking Dish:** This is the standard size for this recipe.
* **Large Skillet:** For cooking the sausage and vegetables.
* **Mixing Bowls:** For whisking the eggs and combining ingredients.
* **Measuring Cups and Spoons:** For accurate measurements.
* **Whisk:** For whisking the eggs.
* **Spatula or Spoon:** For stirring and spreading.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Now for the fun part! Here’s how to make Crescent Breakfast Squares:

**Step 1: Prepare the Sausage and Vegetables**

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Cook until fully cooked (no longer pink). Drain off any excess grease.
3. Add the chopped onion and bell pepper to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant. Remove from heat.

**Step 2: Prepare the Egg Mixture**

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk (or cream), salt, and pepper until well combined.

**Step 3: Assemble the Breakfast Squares**

1. Unroll one can of crescent roll dough and gently press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, covering the entire surface. If using crescent roll sheets that are not seamless gently press together the seams.
2. Sprinkle half of the shredded cheese evenly over the crescent roll dough.
3. Spread the cooked sausage and vegetable mixture evenly over the cheese.
4. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the sausage and vegetables.
5. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the egg mixture.
6. Unroll the second can of crescent roll dough and gently place it over the cheese. Pinch seams together gently. It may be easier to cut the second can of dough into strips and lay them across the top of the dish.

**Step 4: Bake the Breakfast Squares**

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the crescent dough is golden brown and the egg mixture is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

**Step 5: Cool and Serve**

1. Let the breakfast squares cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares and serving. Enjoy!

Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Crescent Breakfast Squares

* **Don’t Overcook the Sausage:** Overcooked sausage can become dry and tough. Cook it just until it’s no longer pink.
* **Use a Good Quality Cheese:** The cheese adds a lot of flavor, so choose a good quality cheese that you enjoy.
* **Drain Excess Grease:** Make sure to drain off any excess grease from the sausage after cooking to prevent the breakfast squares from becoming greasy.
* **Don’t Overfill the Squares:** Avoid overfilling the squares, as this can make them difficult to bake evenly.
* **Let the Squares Cool Slightly Before Cutting:** This will make them easier to cut and serve.
* **For extra flavor, consider adding a dash of hot sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes to the egg mixture.**
* **Brush the top crust with melted butter before baking for a golden brown finish.**
* **If the top crust is browning too quickly, cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.**

Variations and Substitutions

The possibilities are endless when it comes to customizing these Crescent Breakfast Squares. Here are a few ideas:

* **Vegetarian:** Omit the sausage and add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, spinach, zucchini, or roasted red peppers. Consider adding some crumbled feta cheese or goat cheese for extra flavor.
* **Bacon and Cheese:** Replace the sausage with cooked and crumbled bacon. Use cheddar cheese or a combination of cheddar and Monterey Jack.
* **Ham and Swiss:** Use diced ham and Swiss cheese. You can also add some sauteed mushrooms.
* **Mediterranean:** Add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and feta cheese to the egg mixture. Use Italian sausage for the meat.
* **Spicy:** Add jalapenos, chili powder, and pepper jack cheese for a spicy kick.
* **Healthy:** Use turkey sausage, egg whites, and low-fat cheese. Load up on vegetables.
* **Sweet and Savory:** Add a drizzle of maple syrup over the squares after baking for a sweet and savory twist.

Make-Ahead Instructions

Crescent Breakfast Squares are perfect for making ahead of time. Here’s how:

1. Assemble the squares according to the recipe instructions, but do not bake them.
2. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
3. When ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed.
4. You may need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time if the squares are cold.

Storage Instructions

Leftover Crescent Breakfast Squares can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 30-60 seconds, or bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

Crescent Breakfast Squares are delicious on their own, but here are a few serving suggestions:

* **Serve with a side of fresh fruit, such as berries, melon, or grapes.**
* **Offer a dollop of sour cream or Greek yogurt on top.**
* **Drizzle with hot sauce or salsa for a spicy kick.**
* **Pair with a cup of coffee, tea, or juice.**
* **Serve alongside a green salad for a complete meal.**

Nutritional Information (Approximate)

(Per serving, based on 12 servings, using regular sausage and cheddar cheese):

* Calories: 350-450
* Fat: 25-35g
* Saturated Fat: 10-15g
* Cholesterol: 150-200mg
* Sodium: 500-700mg
* Carbohydrates: 20-25g
* Protein: 15-20g

*Note: Nutritional information can vary depending on the specific ingredients used.*

Troubleshooting

* **Squares are not cooking evenly:** Make sure your oven is properly preheated and that the baking dish is placed in the center of the oven.
* **Crust is browning too quickly:** Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
* **Egg mixture is watery:** Make sure you drain off any excess grease from the sausage and vegetables. You can also add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the egg mixture to help thicken it.
* **Squares are sticking to the pan:** Make sure you grease the baking dish well before adding the crescent dough.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

**Q: Can I use different types of cheese?**
A: Absolutely! Feel free to use any cheese that you enjoy. Cheddar, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, Colby Jack, and Swiss are all great options.

**Q: Can I use different types of meat?**
A: Yes! Bacon, ham, turkey sausage, and even ground beef can be used in place of the breakfast sausage.

**Q: Can I add vegetables?**
A: Yes, definitely! Onions, bell peppers, mushrooms, spinach, tomatoes, and zucchini are all great additions.

**Q: Can I make this recipe gluten-free?**
A: Unfortunately, crescent roll dough typically contains gluten. However, you may be able to find gluten-free crescent roll dough at some specialty grocery stores.

**Q: Can I freeze these breakfast squares?**
A: While it’s not ideal, you can freeze baked breakfast squares. Let them cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave.

**Q: The crescent roll dough is tearing when I unroll it. What should I do?**
A: This can happen if the dough is too cold. Let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before unrolling it. If it still tears, just gently press the seams back together.

**Q: My egg mixture seems too thin. Will it still set?**
A: As long as you’ve followed the recipe and used the correct amount of liquid, the egg mixture should set properly in the oven. Adding a tablespoon of cornstarch can help thicken it if you’re concerned.

Enjoy Your Delicious Crescent Breakfast Squares!

These Crescent Breakfast Squares are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. With their flaky crust, savory filling, and endless customization options, they’re perfect for any occasion. So gather your ingredients, follow the steps, and get ready to enjoy a breakfast that’s both easy and incredibly delicious! Don’t forget to share your creations and variations in the comments below. Happy baking!