Baked Stuffed French Toast

(207)
Frisee Salad with Pistachios and Dijon Vinaigrette
Photo: Linda Pugliese
Prep Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 20 mins
Servings:
8

Both sweet and savory, this make-ahead brunch entree is stuffed with ham and Gruyere cheese and served with maple syrup. This family-friendly dish goes well with a green salad.

Ingredients

  • Unsalted butter, room temperature, for baking dish

  • 1 14-inch loaf rustic bread, such as pane Pugliese, cut into 8 slices

  • 8 thin slices ham, plus more for topping (optional)

  • 8 ounces Gruyere, thinly sliced, plus more for topping (optional)

  • 8 large eggs

  • cup whole milk

  • Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

  • Pure maple syrup, such as Noble

Directions

  1. Butter bottom and sides of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Make a deep slit in each bread slice to create a pocket. Stuff each with 1 slice of ham, then divide cheese evenly among pockets.

  2. Whisk together eggs and milk in a bowl until combined, and season with salt and pepper. Pour egg mixture into prepared baking dish. Add bread slices in a single layer, gently pressing into egg mixture, and let soak 15 minutes. Flip bread You can soak the bread in the egg mixture for just 30 minutes, but the French toast will be even more delicious if you let it sit overnight. and gently press again into egg mixture. Let soak 15 minutes. (If preparing the day before, refrigerate up to 12 hours, loosely covered, then let stand at room temperature 30 minutes.)

  3. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Top bread with remaining ham and cheese. Bake until egg mixture is set and cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

  4. Turn oven to broil, with rack 4 to 6 inches from heat source. Broil until bread is toasted and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Serve hot with maple syrup.

Cook's Notes

You can soak the bread for as little as 30 minutes but the French toast will be even more delicious if you let it sit overnight.

It doesn't matter whether the loaf you choose is Italian or French, as long as it's wide and properly sliced. With a serrated bread knife, trim the ends, then cut the loaf into 8 slices, each 1 1/2 inches thick.

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