Loaded with ham, brie, and strawberry preserves, this breakfast sandwich combines the classic Monte Cristo with French toast, making it the ultimate indulgent brunch dish.
I’m not always a fan of combining two awesome recipes into one. I want my Swedish meatballs to be classic, and I don’t want anyone to put sweet chili sauce in them.
However, there are exceptions, and this one is a perfect example. The mighty Monte Cristo and the fancy French Toast united in the most delicious marriage of flavors. 
Layers of black forest ham, creamy Brie, and strawberry preserves are tucked between slices of crisp, golden challah, making this the ultimate indulgent brunch dish. Did I hear an OMG?
What makes this sandwich truly stand out? Is it the buttery Brie melting into the warm bread? The sweet, tangy hit of strawberry preserves? The smoky black forest ham? Or maybe it’s the contrast of crispy, golden crust with the soft, fluffy center. You pick, it just works.
The inspiration comes straight from the perfect pairing of Brie and fruit on a cheese board—a combination that never fails. The ham adds a salty, savory balance, and challah is the ideal bread choice, with its light, pillowy texture that soaks up just the right amount of custard without getting soggy.
For the best results, use high-quality ham and a ripe, creamy Brie. Finish it off with a dusting of powdered sugar and fresh strawberries for extra flair. And don’t forget the coffee—this sandwich REALLY deserves a good cup of coffee.
How to Make Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast
1. Assemble the Sandwiches
- Lay out 4 slices of challah bread.
- Evenly distribute the thinly sliced brie cheese on top.
- Layer the ham over the cheese, then place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top to form sandwiches.
2. Prepare the French Toast Mixture
- In a shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together milk, eggs, and maple syrup until fully combined.
3. Dip the Sandwiches
- Lightly grease a nonstick skillet, cast-iron skillet, or griddle with cooking spray or oil and heat over medium heat.
- Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated but not overly saturated. Let excess liquid drip off.
4. Cook the French Toast
- Place each dipped sandwich onto the preheated skillet.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the brie has melted.
- Adjust heat as necessary to prevent burning.
5. Add the Preserves and Serve
- Remove from heat and spread 1–2 tablespoons of strawberry preserves on the top slice of each sandwich.
- Dust with powdered sugar (if using) and serve with fresh strawberries.
- Enjoy warm!
Tips for Success:
Avoid soggy bread: Spread the strawberry preserves after cooking instead of before, as cooking them in the sandwich can cause the bread to become overly soft.
Cheese melts best when sliced thin: Brie can be difficult to melt if sliced too thick, so aim for thin, even layers.
Use sturdy bread: While challah is traditional, you can substitute with brioche or another thick-cut, soft bread for a similar effect.
Balance the sweetness: The maple syrup in the egg mixture complements the savory ham, but you can reduce or omit it if you prefer a less sweet version.
Milk options: Skim, whole, or even non-dairy alternatives work fine.
Bread options: Brioche, sourdough, or any thick-cut bread can be used in place of challah.
Serving size: Can vary depending on bread thickness; the listed size is approximate.
Make ahead: You can assemble the sandw
iches ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 6 hours before dipping and cooking.
Ham and Brie Monte Cristo French Toast
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
Loaded with ham, brie, and strawberry preserves, this breakfast sandwich combines the classic Monte Cristo with French toast, making it the ultimate indulgent brunch dish.
Ingredients
Cooking spray or canola oil (as needed)
8 slices challah bread (3/4-inch thick)
8–10 ounces (225-280 g) Black Forest ham, sliced 1/4-inch thick (or deli-style)
1/2 wheel brie cheese, thinly sliced
1 1/2 cups (360 ml) milk
3 large eggs
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
13-ounce (370 g) jar strawberry preserves (I prefer Bonne Maman)
1/4 cup (30 g) powdered sugar (optional, for serving)
Fresh strawberries (optional, for serving)
Instructions
1. Assemble the Sandwiches
- Lay out 4 slices of challah bread.
- Evenly distribute the thinly sliced brie cheese on top.
- Layer the ham over the cheese, then place the remaining 4 slices of bread on top to form sandwiches.
2. Prepare the French Toast Mixture
- In a shallow dish or pie plate, whisk together milk, eggs, and maple syrup until fully combined.
3. Dip the Sandwiches
- Lightly grease a nonstick skillet, cast-iron skillet, or griddle with cooking spray or oil and heat over medium heat.
- Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are well coated but not overly saturated. Let excess liquid drip off.
4. Cook the French Toast
- Place each dipped sandwich onto the preheated skillet.
- Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the brie has melted.
- Adjust heat as necessary to prevent burning.
5. Add the Preserves and Serve
- Remove from heat and spread 1–2 tablespoons of strawberry preserves on the top slice of each sandwich.
- Dust with powdered sugar (if using) and serve with fresh strawberries.
- Enjoy warm!
Notes
Avoid soggy bread: Spread the strawberry preserves after cooking instead of before, as cooking them in the sandwich can cause the bread to become overly soft.
Cheese melts best when sliced thin: Brie can be difficult to melt if sliced too thick, so aim for thin, even layers.
Use sturdy bread: While challah is traditional, you can substitute with brioche or another thick-cut, soft bread for a similar effect.
Balance the sweetness: The maple syrup in the egg mixture complements the savory ham, but you can reduce or omit it if you prefer a less sweet version.
Milk options: Skim, whole, or even non-dairy alternatives work fine.
Bread options: Brioche, sourdough, or any thick-cut bread can be used in place of challah.
Serving size: Can vary depending on bread thickness; the listed size is approximate.
Make ahead: You can assemble the sandwiches ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 6 hours before dipping and cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: French American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Sandwich
- Calories: 695
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 1045mg
- Fat: 37g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 218mg
