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Top view of stack of ham and cheese French toast on beige parchment paper. A bowl with syrup.

Ham and Cheese French Toast (Monte Cristo Sandwich)

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Sweet and salty, this is the perfect stuffed French toast (or Monte Cristo sandwich) when you want a twist on the traditional dish. Made with egg-based bread such as challah or brioche, it's soft, gooey, hearty and wonderful served with maple syrup. 

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 8 slices egg bread (such as challah or brioche, or a sweet one like pulla)
  • 8 thin slices of ham (I like smoked)
  • 4 thick slices of mozzarella or other melting cheese
  • 3 eggs, at room temperature
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoon butter
  • Maple syrup or powdered sugar, to serve

Instructions

  1. Put the bread slices on a cutting board and top half of them with 2 slices of ham and 1 slice of cheese.
  2. Top with the remaining slices of bread to make sandwiches and press down a bit. 
  3. Lightly beat eggs with milk in a shallow dish or bowl that can accommodate at least one sandwich. Season with some salt.
  4. Place sandwiches in the egg mixture, about 30 seconds on each side, so they soak some of the egg and milk.
  5. Melt butter (1/2 tablespoon per sandwich you're cooking) in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
  6. Cook sandwiches on the hot skillet in a single layer, as many as fit your pan, over low or medium-low heat until golden and the cheese is beginning to melt.
  7. Repeat with the rest of the French toast slices.
  8. Serve immediately with maple syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

  • Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, equipment, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
  • Bread: we favor brioche or challah, but you can use sandwich bread. The latter will not have the contrast of a richer eggy bread. We don't use store-bought sliced bread as it can be too soft and not have enough structure to hold the filling well. But that's personal preference. 
  • Ham: any type you regularly use works well. We use smoked ham, leftover glazed ham during the holidays, or natural ham. We like 2 slices of ham per slice of bread, but you can increase or decrease that amount. 
  • Cheese: my top picks are melty Swiss or mozzarella. Fontina and white cheddar work well for a sharper flavor. As with the ham, adjust the amount of slices to your personal preference. 
  • Serving: drizzle with maple syrup, honey, or similar. You can add a side bowl of fresh fruit salad to add some freshness. 
  • Author: Paula Montenegro
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast & Brunch
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/4
  • Calories: 497
  • Sugar: 2.4 g
  • Sodium: 708.2 mg
  • Fat: 23.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39.7 g
  • Fiber: 1.8 g
  • Protein: 29.3 g
  • Cholesterol: 251.1 mg