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Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole: Your New Brunch Favorite

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Indulge in the perfect blend of savory and sweet with this Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole, a delightful twist on the classic sandwich. This easy-to-make dish is perfect for brunch gatherings and will leave your guests craving more.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8–10 cups challah or brioche, cubed
  • 8–12 ounces thinly sliced deli roast beef or beef ham
  • 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
  • Powdered sugar for dusting
  • Raspberry or strawberry preserves for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Your Pan: Grab a 9×13-inch baking dish and lightly grease it with butter or non-stick cooking spray.
  2. Cube the Bread: Cut the challah or brioche into roughly 1-inch cubes and distribute half of the bread cubes evenly across the bottom of your prepared baking dish.
  3. Layer the Savory Fillings: Over the first layer of bread, evenly arrange half of your thinly sliced deli roast beef or beef ham. Then, sprinkle half of your shredded Swiss cheese over the meat. Repeat this layering process with the remaining bread cubes, the rest of the meat, and finally, the remaining Swiss cheese.
  4. Whisk the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the large eggs, whole milk (or half-and-half), granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. If using, whisk in the Dijon mustard.
  5. Pour and Soak: Carefully pour the egg custard mixture over the layered bread, meat, and cheese in your baking dish, ensuring all bread cubes are saturated. Press down gently on the bread to help it absorb the liquid.
  6. Chill and Soak: Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight (8-12 hours).
  7. Preheat and Bake: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  8. Bake Covered, Then Uncovered: Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and continue baking for another 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean.
  9. Rest and Serve: Once baked, let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes. Dust generously with powdered sugar just before serving, and serve with warm raspberry or strawberry preserves.

Nutrition

Keywords: Using slightly stale or day-old bread is key to preventing sogginess. An overnight soak allows the bread to fully absorb the custard, resulting in a uniform texture. Serve with warmed preserves for a delightful contrast.

Find it online: https://crumella.com/monte-cristo-breakfast-casserole-your-new-brunch-favorite/