Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast
This post is sponsored by Honest Cooking. All opinions expressed here are my own. #SayItWithHomemade
Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast is a Monte Cristo sandwich with a french toast twist! It’s served with strawberry preserves for the ultimate sweet and savory breakfast!
When you think of the ultimate breakfast, what comes to your mind? I rarely make pancakes and french toast, which makes it really special when I have them. And if someone would make me breakfast in bed some time (hint-hint), this Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast would make me really happy.
Mother’s Day is coming. (hint-hint)
As a mom, one of the things I love about Mother’s Day is being pampered. My idea of pampering doesn’t mean having a spa day or something to that effect — it’s more about putting my feet up and letting people take care of me.
When someone cooks for me, it means the world to me. Gifts and flowers are nice, but food is the way to my heart.
This Mother’s Day, why not pamper the mom(s) in your life with a delicious sweet and savory breakfast in bed like this Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast?
The sweet ingredient of your breakfast should start with Bonne Maman preserves, which have been a favorite of mine for years. “Bonne Maman” also happens to mean Grandmother or Granny, making it even more suitable for Mother’s Day!
Bonne Maman is delicious and made from simple, wholesome ingredients that can be found in anyone’s pantry.
Bonne Maman preserves and jellies are made with natural ingredients and feature the finest quality fruit. They’re Non-GMO Project Verified, have no high fructose corn syrup, no artificial coloring, and no preservatives are added.
Bonne Maman is a brand that I trust and purchase often, and this french toast would be nothing without their strawberry preserves.
Clearly I went a little overboard with the preserves, but they’re the stand out in this dish as far as I’m concerned. They’re so sweet and are bursting with fresh strawberry flavor, which ties all of these ingredients together perfectly.
The funny thing about my choosing to do this recipe is that I’ve never had a Monte Cristo sandwich. I’ve always thought about trying one, but just never gotten around to it.
Obviously I’ve been missing out because I couldn’t get enough of the sweet and savory flavors in this Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast!
Cheese platters are one of my favorite things on the planet to indulge in because of the sweet and savory combination. I especially love brie cheese with fruit and preserves (see my mini phyllo bites and fig crostini for proof), so I knew I had to incorporate it into this french toast.
I used a good quality black forest ham because there’s no skimping where mom is concerned. I chose challah bread for this recipe because it’s so soft and fluffy — it’s my go to for baked french toast!
This Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast was soft and fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, just the way it should be. Serve it with some powdered sugar and fresh strawberries for mom if desired. And coffee….don’t forget the coffee! This is the perfect breakfast in bed, and I’d love nothing more than to have it again on Mother’s Day.
That’s absolutely the last hint that I’m dropping. I promise. 🙂
Recipe Notes:
- I slathered a large amount of strawberry preserves on the top slice of challah bread before cooking the french toast, which resulted in it becoming a bit soggy. I did this because I wanted to highlight the preserves in my photos, so if you’d like to avoid soggy bread, I recommend spreading the preserves on after cooking.
- I used skim milk in this recipe, but you can use any type that you have on hand.
- The challah bread may be substituted with your favorite.
- The serving size listed here is just a rule of thumb because it can change dramatically depending on the size of your slices of bread.
More brunch recipe inspiration:
Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast
Ingredients
- Cooking spray as needed
- 8 slices challah bread cut into 3/4″ slices
- 8 ounces black forest ham sliced into 1/4″ slices or use deli meat (you may not need all of it)
- Half a wheel of brie cheese thinly sliced
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 13 ounces jar Bonne Maman Strawberry Preserves
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar for serving (optional)
- Fresh strawberries for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Place the thinly sliced brie over the (4) bottom slices of the challah bread, followed by the black forest ham. Top with the (4) top slices of bread.
- In a pie plate or shallow dish, whisk together the milk, eggs, and maple syrup until well combined.
- Grease a nonstick skillet, cast iron skillet, or griddle with cooking spray or oil and heat over medium heat. Dip each sandwich into the milk mixture, allowing the bread to soak up the liquid, then turn over and repeat on the other side and shake off the excess mixture. Place in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side or until golden brown and the cheese has melted.
- Remove the french toast from heat and spread 1-2 tablespoons of the strawberry preserves on the top slice of each. Place each on a plate and dust with the powdered sugar, if using. Serve with fresh strawberries if desired and more strawberry preserves. Enjoy!
Notes
- I slathered a large amount of strawberry preserves on the top slice of challah bread before cooking the french toast, which resulted in it becoming a bit soggy. I did this because I wanted to highlight the preserves in my photos, so if you’d like to avoid soggy bread, I recommend spreading the preserves on after cooking.
- I used skim milk in this recipe, but you can use any type that you have on hand.
- The challah bread may be substituted with your favorite.
- The serving size listed here is just a rule of thumb because it can change dramatically depending on the size of your slices of bread.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
20 Comments on “Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast”
I made this for my family for dinner. It was quick and easy to put together and my husband, son and I all enjoyed it. The flavors of the ingredients go well together. My one complaint is that the bread stays soggy on the inside even when golden brown on the outside. I will make this again but plan to cut the milk down to 1/2 cup, instead of 1 1/2 cups.
I’m glad you enjoyed it and I appreciate the feedback!
I think that’s a great idea Nell!
This looks so yummy, well except the strawberry part. With non-berry eaters in the house I’ve learned to adapt. THIS I think would be perfect with orange marmalade. I understand the strawberries were the ‘star of the show’ but the rest is perfect – hope others with ‘berry haters’ or allergies will give it aa try. Thank you for sharing. Can’t wait to try it. (No one at my house except me would attempt it so I’ll be cooking.)
I completely understand having to adapt! I think this would be amazing with orange marmalade or stone fruit jam and I hope you enjoy it!
It sure was decadent and I really enjoyed it! Thank you Juliana and I wish you and your family a happy Easter!
Oh Marcie, this would be the ultimate breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day or a birthday 🙂 Bonne Maman is my favorite and I love the monte cristo twist! Looks amazing!!!
Thanks so much Kelly and Happy Easter!
I LOVE french toast, or who wouldn’t? Definitely, french toast would be my ultimate breakfast. Love how delish they are. And this one here looks so pretty and mouth-watering — literally drooling. PS: I am in so much love with the first photo.
Thank you so much Anu! I don’t make french toast often enough!
I don’t think it’s possibly to go overboard with preserves–if I’m the one eating them, anyway. This just looks so decadent and wonderful I’m drooling all over my keyboard. I have a jar of Bonne Maman in my cupboard and am thinking this is the perfect way to use it :). Love this, Marcie!
I’m glad we’re in the same mindset when it comes to preserves! 🙂 Thanks Kelsie and have a Happy Easter!
I think I just melted all over the place…It’s been ages since I’ve had a Monte Cristo and this unique take on French toast is so brilliant! My sister is a ginormous fan of Monte Cristos, so I’ll have to suggest this as our Mother’s Day Brunch main event 😀
Thanks Julia! This was as indulgent as a breakfast can get for me but it was worth every bite!
I LOVEEE mixing preserves with savory dishes! This french toast is making me hungry Marcie!! haha
Man I wish you could’ve helped me eat this stack in the middle of the day! haha
Food is definitely the way to my heart too, Marcie!! And this french toast would win ALL my affection! Talk about breakfast of champions, girlfriend! Ham, brie AND strawberry preserves packed in a french toast sammie? Wowza! I just happen to have a few jars of Bonne Maman in my refrigerator, so I’m thinking I need to “hint hint” to Boy to make this for me pronto! So much deliciousness! Pinned! Cheers, friend! <3
Thanks Cheyanne and you definitely need to drop a few hints to Boy!
The ultimate breakfast for me definitely includes pancakes or french toast…the works! This monte cristo french toast looks amazing, Marcie! I would love for someone to serve this to me, too. I’m drooling just looking at this! Love that melty brie in here!
Thanks so much Gayle! This is definitely the works! 🙂