Delightful brunch casserole with cinnamon-vanilla French bread, savory ham, turkey, Swiss cheese, powdered sugar, and maple syrup.
# What you need:
→ Bread & Dairy Base
01 - 8 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (approximately 1 standard loaf)
02 - 8 large eggs
03 - 2 cups whole milk
04 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
06 - 1 teaspoon salt
07 - 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese
→ Meats
08 - 1 cup cooked ham, chopped
09 - 1 cup cooked turkey or chicken, chopped
→ Toppings
10 - Powdered sugar, for serving
11 - Maple syrup, for serving
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat your oven to 350°F. Generously grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with butter or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
02 - Place the bread cubes in a large bowl. Add the chopped ham and turkey (or chicken), tossing gently to distribute the meats evenly among the bread. Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer.
03 - In a separate large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined and slightly frothy.
04 - Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and meat in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with the back of a spoon or spatula to help it absorb the liquid.
05 - Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly across the top of the casserole.
06 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow the bread to fully absorb the custard mixture.
07 - Place the covered dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes to allow the custard to set and the flavors to meld.
08 - Remove the aluminum foil and continue baking for an additional 15–20 minutes, or until the casserole is fully set and the top is golden brown and bubbly.
09 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, generously dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.
