Description

Monte Cristo Casserole is a decadent, layered breakfast dish inspired by the classic Monte Cristo sandwich. It features layers of French bread, Swiss cheese, and Canadian bacon soaked in a sweet custard mixture, baked until golden and puffed. Served with powdered sugar and raspberry jam, this casserole combines savory and sweet flavors for a perfect brunch or special occasion meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Meat

1 (16-oz) loaf French bread
20 slices Canadian bacon
20 slices very thin Swiss cheese slices (Sargento’s)

Condiments

⅓ cup honey mustard dressing

Custard Mixture

8 large eggs
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup milk
2 tbsp sugar
1 tsp vanilla

Toppings

Powdered sugar, for sprinkling
Raspberry jam, for serving (optional)

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Instructions

Slice Bread: Slice the French bread into 20 slices, each about 1 inch thick, to ensure they fit nicely in your baking dish and soak up the custard mixture evenly.
Prepare Bread with Honey Mustard: Brush both sides of each bread slice with honey mustard dressing. Then, arrange the slices in two rows in your baking dish, overlapping them slightly to create a base.
Layer Cheese and Bacon: Between each slice of bread, place one slice of Swiss cheese and one slice of Canadian bacon, layering to build the classic Monte Cristo flavor combination throughout the casserole.
Mix Custard: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, milk, sugar, and vanilla until smooth and fully combined. This custard will soak into the bread and add richness.
Pour Custard Over Bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the arranged bread, cheese, and bacon to saturate all layers.
Chill Overnight: Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight so the bread fully absorbs the custard flavors.
Preheat and Bake: Remove the casserole from the refrigerator, uncover it, and preheat your oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Bake the casserole uncovered for 45 to 55 minutes, until it is puffed slightly and the eggs are fully set.
Add Finishing Touches: Once baked, sprinkle the casserole with powdered sugar and serve with raspberry jam on the side or drizzled on top for a delightful sweet finish.

Notes

For best results, allow the casserole to refrigerate overnight so the bread absorbs the custard well.
You can substitute honey mustard with Dijon mustard or another favorite mustard for a different flavor profile.
Use very thin slices of Swiss cheese to ensure they melt uniformly within the casserole.
Raspberry jam adds a sweet and tangy contrast but is optional based on preference.
Ensure the casserole is baked until the eggs are fully set to avoid any runny texture.