Croque Madame French Toast
Servings:
4
prep time:
45 mins
cook time:
25 mins
Total time:
1 hour 10 mins
Ingredients
-
6 ounces deli ham, roughly chopped
-
6 ounces aged Gruyère cheese, grated
-
Vermont Creamery Crème Fraîche
¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons divided
-
½ teaspoon kosher salt, divided
-
½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
-
¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
-
8 large eggs, divided
-
1 cup whole milk
-
½ tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped, if desired
-
8 slices brioche, pan de mie, pullman or challah
-
Vermont Creamery Sea Salt Cultured Butter - 82% Butterfat
6 tablespoons divided
-
maple syrup, for serving, if desired
Directions
- Heat oven to 425ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or aluminum foil; set aside.
- To make filling, combine chopped ham, Gruyère cheese, 1/4 cup crème fraîche, 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper and nutmeg in medium bowl; mix well. Remove 1/2 cup mixture; set aside.
- To assemble French toast, place 4 slices bread on rimmed baking sheet. Divide larger portion of filling evenly among bread on baking sheet, gently pressing into even layer crust to crust. Top each with remaining slices bread, gently pressing down to seal sandwiches.
- Whisk together 4 eggs, milk, remaining 2 tablespoons crème fraîche and 1/4 teaspoon salt and rosemary, if desired, in medium bowl. Pour egg mixture over sandwiches, flipping each sandwich to coat. Allow sandwiches to rest, flipping again halfway through, 10 minutes or until all liquid is soaked into bread.
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in large skillet over medium heat. Place 2 sandwiches in skillet; cook 2-3 minutes on each side or until dappled and deep golden. Transfer sandwiches to prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining 2 sandwiches. Wipe skillet clean; set aside for cooking remaining eggs.
- Divide remaining 1/2 cup filling among 4 sandwiches, placing in small even circle in center of each. Bake 10 minutes or until French toast is puffy and fully heated through.
- Meanwhile, return skillet to medium heat; add remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Heat until melted and foaming. Crack remaining 4 eggs into skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cook sunny side up or until desired doneness*.
- Transfer baked French toast to large platter or individual plates; top each sandwich with 1 fried egg. Serve with maple syrup, if desired.
recipe notes:
*FDA guidelines for safe handling instructions recommend cooking eggs until white and yolk are firm.
