Monte Cristo Breakfast Casserole (Print)

A delightful brunch bake with cinnamon-vanilla French bread, savory ham, turkey, and melty Swiss cheese, topped with sweetness.

# Ingredients:

→ Bread & Dairy Base

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→ Meats

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→ Toppings

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# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Toss bread cubes with chopped ham and turkey in a large bowl. Spread mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - Whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl until fully combined.
04 - Pour egg mixture evenly over the bread and meat. Press gently to help bread absorb liquid. Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese over the top.
05 - Cover dish with aluminum foil and let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow bread to soak up the custard.
06 - Bake covered for 30 minutes until the casserole begins to set.
07 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until casserole is fully 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.

# Expert Tips:

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  • It transforms ordinary breakfast ingredients into something that feels fancy enough for company but comes together with zero stress
  • The sweet and savory combination hits that perfect spot where breakfast meets dessert
  • You can assemble it the night before and wake up to something practically finished
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  • The 15 minute rest period before baking is not optional, it is what transforms this from soggy bread to a proper custard
  • Overbaking will make the texture rubbery, so pull it out when just set and still slightly jiggly in the center
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  • Cut your bread into uniform cubes so everything bakes evenly at the same rate
  • Use leftover bread from a few days ago, it has already lost moisture and will absorb the custard perfectly without turning gummy
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