Monte Cristo Casserole with Raspberry Sauce

Name: Monte Cristo Casserole with Raspberry Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 10 servings (1-3/4 cups sauce).
Ingredients: 1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cut into 20 slices; 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard; 1/2 pound sliced deli ham; 1/2 pound sliced Swiss cheese; 1/2 pound sliced deli turkey; 6 large Nellie’s Free Range Eggs; 1-1/2 cups whole milk; 2 teaspoons sugar; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; TOPPING:; 1/2 cup packed brown sugar; 1/4 cup butter, softened; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; RASPBERRY SAUCE:; 1/3 cup sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/4 cup cold water; 1/4 cup lemon juice; 1/4 cup maple syrup; 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

My husband likes the ham and cheese sandwich known as the Monte Cristo. I based this casserole on the sandwich, and it makes a terrific brunch dish. —Mary Steiner, Parkville, Maryland

Ingredients

1 loaf (1 pound) French bread, cut into 20 slices
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 pound sliced deli ham
1/2 pound sliced Swiss cheese
1/2 pound sliced deli turkey
6 large Nellie’s Free Range Eggs
1-1/2 cups whole milk
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
TOPPING:
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
RASPBERRY SAUCE:
1/3 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold water
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup maple syrup
2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries

Directions

Line a greased 13x9-in. baking dish with half of the bread. Spread mustard over bread. Layer with ham, cheese, turkey and remaining bread (dish will be full).
In a large bowl, whisk eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla; pour over top. Refrigerate, covered, overnight.
Preheat oven to 375°. Remove casserole from refrigerator while oven heats. In a small bowl, mix topping ingredients; sprinkle over casserole. Bake, uncovered, 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in water, lemon juice and maple syrup until smooth. Add raspberries. Bring to a boil; cook and stir until thickened, about 2 minutes. Cool slightly.
Let casserole stand 10 minutes before cutting. Serve with sauce.

Nutrition Facts

1 piece with about 3 tablespoons sauce: 476 calories, 17g fat (8g saturated fat), 167mg cholesterol, 906mg sodium, 55g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 3g fiber), 25g protein.

Originally published as Monte Cristo Casserole in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2015

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Heidi

Apr 17, 2017

Since this recipe did not have any reviews yet and it seemed like it would be great on my Easter buffet, I did make it. I made the recipe exactly as printed. The flavor is amazing; however, in a unanimous decision none of us would use the raspberry syrup for this recipe. I have already received one suggestion that if you top it with anything, use maple syrup. That person said it was awesome left over with the maple syrup. I have had it left over and preferred it just plain. It is not that the raspberry syrup isn't good. I think the syrup will be great on plain buttermilk pancakes or crepes. I plan to freeze it. It is just too much and takes away from the rest of the flavors going on in this easy, make ahead casserole. Will make it for company I have visiting this summer.