This savory brunch or breakfast-for-dinner Ham and Cheese Croissant Bread Pudding is easy yet elegant. Round it out with a winter fruit salad.
Ham and Cheese Croissant Bread Pudding
Makes 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 large croissants, halved lengthwise and crosswise
- 1 cup diced Gouda cheese
- 16 slices deli ham, torn or folded as desired
- 3 cups half-and-half
- 6 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon sliced fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon dry mustard
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Garnish: sliced fresh chives
Instructions
- Spray a 13×9-inch cast-iron baking pan with cooking spray.
- Arrange croissant pieces in prepared pan; sprinkle with cheese. Nestle 5 ham slices into croissant pieces.
- In a large bowl, whisk together half-and-half, eggs, chives, thyme, salt, mustard, pepper, and paprika; gently pour mixture all over bread and ham in pan. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Nestle remaining ham slices into bread mixture. Cover pan with foil.
- Bake until edges are set and but center jiggles slightly when pan is gently shaken, 35 to 40 minutes. Uncover and bake until slightly puffed and top is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives, if desired.
