Description
A hands-off, crowd-pleasing breakfast bake combining Swiss cheese, ham, and maple syrup for a sweet and savory flavor explosion. Perfect for holiday mornings, brunch, or meal prep.
Ingredients
- 8 slices thick sliced white bread (day-old preferred; brioche or challah optional)
- 2 cups diced ham (pre-cooked deli ham recommended)
- 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
- 8 large eggs (room temperature)
- 2 cups whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Lay out 8 slices of thick white bread in the dish, trimming crusts if desired. Scatter diced ham evenly over the bread, then sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese on top.
- In a large bowl, whisk together 8 large eggs, 2 cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ¼ cup maple syrup, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt and pepper until combined and slightly frothy.
- Pour the custard evenly over the bread, ham, and cheese. Press down gently on the bread slices to help them soak up the liquid. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Remove foil and bake casserole covered for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-20 minutes until top is golden brown and custard is set. The edges should be bubbling and crispy, and the center should spring back when gently pressed.
- Let casserole rest for about 10 minutes before slicing. Serve with a drizzle of maple syrup or on the side for dipping.
Notes
[‘Use day-old or slightly stale bread to avoid sogginess; toast fresh bread lightly if needed.’, ‘Room temperature eggs and dairy mix more evenly and prevent clumping.’, ‘Do not skip the soaking step; it ensures a custardy, melt-in-your-mouth texture.’, ‘Watch baking time to avoid drying out; broil 1-2 minutes at the end for extra crispy edges if desired.’, ‘Customize with different cheeses (cheddar, Gruyère) or meats (turkey, bacon, sausage).’, ‘Use real maple syrup for best flavor, but pure maple-flavored syrup works too.’, ‘Leftovers reheat well and casserole freezes beautifully for up to 2 months.’]
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (approximate
- Calories: 350
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 20
Keywords: Monte Cristo, breakfast casserole, breakfast bake, ham and cheese casserole, brunch recipe, easy breakfast, make-ahead breakfast