Sweet and savory brunch bake: cinnamon-vanilla French bread, savory ham, turkey, melty Swiss cheese, golden baked perfection.
# What You'll Need:
→ Bread & Dairy
01 - 8 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 1 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
# Step-by-Step Guide:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - In a large bowl, toss the bread cubes with chopped ham and turkey. Spread the mixture evenly in the prepared baking dish.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt until thoroughly combined.
04 - Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread and meat. Press down gently with a spatula to help the bread absorb the liquid.
05 - Sprinkle shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
06 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and let rest at room temperature for 15 minutes to allow bread to soak.
07 - Bake covered for 30 minutes at 350°F.
08 - Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the casserole is set and top is golden brown.
09 - Let cool for 10 minutes before slicing. Serve warm, dusted with powdered sugar and drizzled with maple syrup.
