Description
Delightful monte cristo breakfast casserole blends French toast charm with hearty sandwich layers, creating a morning masterpiece that delights breakfast enthusiasts. Cheesy, crispy edges and rich ham-turkey filling make you crave each comforting, golden-brown bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 ounces (226 grams) deli ham, sliced
- 6 large eggs
Dairy and Cheese:
- 2 cups (226 grams) Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
Bread and Seasonings:
- 6 large croissants, torn into large pieces
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Garnish:
- Powdered sugar
- Raspberry jam
Instructions
- Grease a spacious rectangular baking vessel and warm the oven to a precise temperature of 375°F.
- Construct the initial layer by gently spreading croissant fragments across the bottom of the dish, creating a uniform base.
- Delicately arrange thin slices of ham across the croissant pieces, followed by a generous scattering of Swiss cheese.
- Replicate the layering process with remaining croissant pieces, ensuring complete coverage of the previous ham and cheese stratum.
- Craft a rich custard mixture by vigorously whisking eggs with milk, heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and seasoning until smooth and well-incorporated.
- Carefully cascade the custard mixture over the layered ingredients, ensuring every croissant piece becomes thoroughly saturated.
- Allow the casserole to rest and absorb the liquid for a minimum of 10 minutes, or ideally refrigerate overnight to enhance flavor integration.
- Shield the casserole with aluminum foil and transfer to the preheated oven, baking for 25 minutes to establish a solid foundation.
- Remove the foil covering and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes until the surface achieves a golden, enticing complexion.
- Once removed from the oven, gracefully dust the casserole with a delicate layer of powdered sugar.
- Serve immediately alongside a vibrant raspberry jam for a delightful accompaniment.
Notes
- Bread Choice Matters: Opt for day-old croissants or brioche for maximum flavor absorption and a richer texture that elevates the entire casserole.
- Overnight Magic: Refrigerating the casserole before baking allows ingredients to meld together, creating deeper, more complex flavors and a perfectly custardy consistency.
- Customize Your Protein: Swap ham with turkey, bacon, or vegetarian alternatives like plant-based deli slices to accommodate different dietary preferences and taste profiles.
- Jam Pairing Tip: Experiment with different fruit preserves like strawberry, apricot, or orange marmalade to complement the savory-sweet balance of the dish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 850 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg