Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole (Print)

Cinnamon-vanilla French bread layered with ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, baked until golden and topped with powdered sugar and maple syrup.

# What You Need:

→ Bread & Dairy

01 - 8 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
02 - 8 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese

→ Meats

08 - 1 cup cooked ham, chopped
09 - 1 cup cooked turkey, chopped

→ Toppings

10 - Powdered sugar for serving
11 - Maple syrup for serving

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
02 - In a large bowl, combine bread cubes with chopped ham and turkey. Spread evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until fully combined.
04 - Pour egg mixture evenly over bread and meat, pressing gently to ensure bread absorbs the liquid. Sprinkle Swiss cheese over top.
05 - Cover baking dish with aluminum foil and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes.
06 - Bake covered for 30 minutes.
07 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until casserole is set and top is golden brown.
08 - Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It tastes like a fancy French diner sandwich but you assemble it once and walk away
  • The overnight soak option means you can sleep in and still serve something impressive
  • Sweet and savory in one bite satisfies everyone at the table without making two dishes
02 -
  • If you skip the 15-minute soak time the bread won't absorb enough custard and you'll end up with dry spots and a puddle on the bottom
  • Covering it with foil for the first half of baking is the only thing standing between you and a burnt top with a raw middle
  • Whole milk matters because lower-fat versions make the custard thin and the texture turns out more sad cafeteria than cozy brunch
03 -
  • Use a serrated knife to cut the bread into cubes and it won't squish or tear under the pressure
  • Warm your maple syrup for about 20 seconds in the microwave before drizzling so it soaks into the casserole instead of just sitting on top
  • If you want extra crispy edges, butter the sides of the baking dish and press some of the bread cubes against them before adding the custard
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