The Best Cheeses To Pair With French Toast

French toast is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, and one popular variation is to add cheese. This creates a delicious combination of sweet and savoury flavours, with the creaminess of the cheese complementing the softness of the French toast. There are several types of cheese that go well with French toast, such as cream cheese, Gruyere, Swiss cheese, and Parmesan. The type of cheese you choose can depend on your personal preference, as well as the other ingredients used in your French toast. For a truly indulgent treat, you can even stuff your French toast with cream cheese or top it with a brown sugar crumble.

How to make a French Toast Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

• Milk
• Eggs
• Nutmeg
• Salt
• Bread (preferably stale or day-old white bread, or brioche)
• Butter
• Bacon or ham
• Cheese (Swiss, cheddar, or a combination of cheeses like Taleggio, fontina, or brie)
• Maple syrup

Instructions:

Start by making the French toast batter. In a large bowl, whisk together milk, eggs, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt until light and frothy.

Dip each slice of bread into the batter, making sure it's soaked through.

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and melt some butter. Add the soaked bread slices and cook until golden, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked French toast to a cooling rack while you cook the remaining slices.

Now it's time to assemble the grilled cheese. Lay two slices of bacon or ham and a few slices of cheese onto a piece of French toast. Drizzle with maple syrup, then top with another slice of French toast to create a sandwich.

Heat a clean skillet over medium heat. Place the French toast grilled cheese sandwich in the skillet and cook until the cheese is melted, about 2 minutes per side.

Serve your French toast grilled cheese while it's still hot and the cheese is ooey-gooey. Enjoy!

The best cheeses for a Croque Monsieur

The Croque Monsieur is a hot ham and cheese sandwich, done the French way. While the true origins of the Croque Monsieur are largely unknown, the sandwich is a delightful combination of béchamel sauce, ham, cheese, and Dijon mustard, grilled to perfection. Here are the best cheeses to use for this indulgent treat:

Gruyere and Swiss Cheese

Gruyere is an Alpine cheese from Switzerland known for its pleasantly sweet and nutty flavour. It melts beautifully, making it an ideal choice for a Croque Monsieur. Swiss cheese, on the other hand, is a generic term for mass-produced cheese made in the style of Alpine cheeses, specifically milder Emmental cheese. Swiss cheese is a convenient option as it comes in sliced form, perfect for sandwiches, and is more affordable than Gruyere. You can use just Gruyere, just Swiss cheese, or a combination of the two, depending on your preference and budget.

Parmesan

Alpine cheeses like Gruyere and Swiss cheese are relatively mild, so adding Parmesan boosts the savoury flavour and adds a salty kick. Parmesan also helps create a gorgeous, crusty golden crown on top of the sandwich.

Comte and Emmental

These two cheeses are popular choices for a Croque Monsieur in France. However, they can be harder to find and more expensive in other parts of the world. Comte has a more complex flavour profile than Gruyere, with sweet, nutty, and fruity notes. Emmental, on the other hand, is known for its mild, slightly nutty flavour and distinctive holes.

While Gruyere, Swiss cheese, Parmesan, Comte, and Emmental are the most traditional cheeses for a Croque Monsieur, you can also experiment with other good melting cheeses like cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, or even mozzarella.

What is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?

A Monte Cristo Sandwich is a variation of the French Croque-Monsieur. It is an egg-dipped (or batter-dipped) ham and cheese sandwich that is pan-fried or deep-fried. The first documented reference to a "Monte Cristo Sandwich" was in an American restaurant industry publication in 1923. However, the sandwich became more popular in the 1960s when the Blue Bayou Restaurant in Disneyland began serving it.

The sandwich is made by spreading mustard and mayonnaise on two slices of white bread. Thin slices of ham and shredded Gruyere cheese are then placed on the bread, and the sandwich is dipped in beaten egg. It is then fried in butter for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. The Monte Cristo sandwich is often served with a dusting of powdered sugar or honey, and sometimes with preserves, maple syrup, or raspberry jam on the side.

Regional variations of the Monte Cristo sandwich exist, and it can be either savoury or a mixture of savoury and sweet. Some variations include sliced turkey or caramelised onions, and it may be grilled or served as an open sandwich.

How to make a Baked Cream Cheese French Toast Casserole

This baked cream cheese French toast casserole recipe is a decadent and indulgent dish that is perfect for a special breakfast or brunch gathering. It combines sweet cream cheese, a brown sugar crumble topping, and a rich custard made from eggs, milk, and cinnamon. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to make this delicious casserole:

Ingredients:

• 1 loaf (12-14 ounces) of French bread, sourdough bread, or challah
• 8 ounces of full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 2 tablespoons of confectioners' sugar (do not leave out)
• 3 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, divided
• 2 1/4 cups of whole milk
• 3/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 2/3 cup of packed light brown sugar
• 1/3 cup of all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• Optional: maple syrup and/or additional confectioners' sugar for topping

Instructions:

• Grease a 9x13-inch baking pan or any 3-4 quart oven-safe dish with nonstick spray.
• Slice and cut the bread into 1-inch cubes. You should have around 12 cups of cubed bread, a little more or less is fine.
• Using a handheld or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese on medium-high speed until completely smooth.
• Beat in the confectioners' sugar and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract until combined.
• Spread half of the bread cubes in the prepared baking pan.
• Drop random spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top of the bread layer.
• Layer the remaining bread cubes on top of the cream cheese.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, cinnamon, brown sugar, and remaining vanilla extract until well combined.
• Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread.
• Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or up to 24 hours. Overnight is best.
• Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C).
• Prepare the crumb topping by whisking together the brown sugar, flour, and cinnamon in a medium bowl.
• Cut in the cold cubed butter using a pastry blender or two forks.
• Sprinkle the topping evenly over the soaked bread.
• Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
• Drizzle with optional maple syrup or dust with additional confectioners' sugar.
• Serve warm and enjoy!

Tips for Success:

• Use quality, day-old, crusty bread for the best results.
• Let the bread sit out for a few hours to get slightly stale before using it.
• Assemble the casserole the night before and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight for the best flavor.
• If you want to add some extra sweetness, you can serve the casserole with a dusting of confectioners' sugar or a light drizzle of maple syrup.

How to make Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients:

• Cream cheese: Whipped cream cheese is preferable as it is lighter and easier to spread.
• Milk: Use full-fat or 2% dairy milk. Alternatively, you can use plant-based milk such as unsweetened oat milk or almond milk.
• Eggs: A key ingredient for French toast, creating a rich, custardy batter.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds a warm and subtly spicy note.
• Vanilla extract: For a sweet vanilla flavor.
• Bread: Brioche is recommended for its buttery and sturdy texture. Other options include Texas Toast, French baguette, sourdough, or challah.
• Toppings (optional): Strawberries, maple syrup, whipped cream, chopped walnuts or pecans.

Instructions:

• Start by making the cream cheese filling. In a bowl, beat together softened cream cheese, a sweetener such as powdered sugar or granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until you have a spreadable consistency.
• In a separate bowl, prepare the egg mixture by whisking together eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
• Spread a thick layer of the sweetened cream cheese on one side of a slice of bread. Top it with another slice of bread to form a sandwich.
• Dip both sides of the sandwich in the egg mixture until it is completely coated and soaked through.
• Melt butter on a griddle or skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwiches until they are golden brown on both sides, flipping halfway through.
• Serve your Stuffed French Toast with your desired toppings.

Frequently asked questions