Ham and Cheese Croissant Casserole

Easter Sunday brunch 🐰!  I found this recipe here and it sounded easy enough to put together as I had to do dinner AND dessert, all homemade as well.  I did a few things on Saturday to make life easier.  I edited the recipe to design it just for the two of us (4 servings).

• 14 ounces Gruyère cheese, divided
• 4 day-old real butter croissants, split
• Sliced ham, to fill each croissant
• 4 large eggs
• 1.5 cups half and half
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
• 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh chives
• Freshly ground black pepper, for garnish

Grate 3/4 of the Gruyère and cube remaining into 1/2-inch pieces; cover cubed Gruyère and refrigerate until ready to use. Use cooking spray on a 9" x 9" baking dish and set aside.

Drape ham slices onto bottom halves of croissants. Sprinkle ham with grated Gruyère. (Reserve remaining Gruyère (about 1 cup) for top of casserole). Place remaining croissant halves on top of Gruyère to make croissant sandwiches. Cut each sandwich crosswise in thirds and place in casserole dish, alternating cut-sides up and point-ends up.

Whisk together eggs, half and half, dijon, salt, and thyme in a large bowl and pour over croissants. Cover with aluminum foil and let sit at room temperature for 1 hour (Alternatively, cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to overnight. Let sit at room temperature 30 minutes before proceeding).  When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350°F. Place cubed Gruyère randomly between soaked croissants and sprinkle evenly with remaining shredded Gruyère.

Bake casserole, covered, for 40 minutes.

Uncover and bake until golden brown, set, and cheese has started to brown, 10 to 15 minutes more. Remove from oven and let rest for 10 minutes. Garnish with chives and black pepper and plate.  I served with raspberries.  I thought the casserole looked beautiful when done!

We're both into that "Monte-Cristo" thing so this was right up our alley.  It was decadent and deeply delicious 😋, crispy, cheesy and custardy.  This will go on the "special occasion" recipe repertoire.  It looked as good as it tasted and was worth the calories 💯.  This was one of the tastiest brunch items I've ever had.

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