Monte Cristo Sandwich – A Great Leftover Ham Recipe!

If you have never had a Monte Cristo Sandwich, do yourself a favor and make yourself one! And if you have never heard of such a thing, let me explain what this decadent sandwich is all about.

The best way to describe this sandwich is that it is a combination of French toast (minus the cinnamon) and a grilled ham and cheese sandwich. Thick sliced bread that is stuffed with ham and cheese and then dipped in egg and fried in butter.

Once the cheese is nice and melted and the bread is golden brown, the sandwich is served by cutting it in half and the tops are drizzled with maple syrup and then sprinkled with a generous amount of powdered sugar. But that isn’t all! To make things even better, this sandwich is served with a small bowl of Raspberry Jam for dipping.

Sounds ridiculously delicious, doesn’t it? I bet your mouth is watering just thinking about it!

Although the actual origin of this popular sandwich is debated, I think we can all agree that it has French roots. However, over the years this sweet and savory sandwich has become hugely popular and is served at many restaurants across the United States.

It is so popular that it has become one of the best selling sandwiches served at Disneyland. It is that good!

However, this isn’t something that I think about making at home very often. Instead, I order it at our favorite brunch restaurant every time I go there.

A Great Use For Your Leftover Ham

Although this week, when I found myself staring at a plethora of leftover ham from our Easter dinner, I had to come up with some creative ways to use it. And that is when I thought about making a Monte Cristo Sandwich!

And it couldn’t have turned out better! The bread was nice and crispy on the outside, but the inside was soft and pillowy. Then the cheese melted perfectly over top of the thick slices of ham that had just enough tang from the mustard and mayonnaise spread that was coated on the bread.

But let’s not forget the best part! The sweetness from the maple syrup and powdered sugar sprinkled on top balances out the saltiness of the ham. Not to mention, when I dipped the edge of the sandwich in the Raspberry jam, I knew that I had created something special.

In fact, I made this recipe 3 times in 3 days, and each day, I get to asked to make it again! As much as I love my other leftover ham recipes, this one is definitely a keeper too!

Other Leftover Ham Recipes

• Ham and Corn Chowder
• Cheesy Potato and Ham Soup
• Split Pea Soup
• Ham Casserole With Rice
• Teriyaki Ham Stir Fry
• Old Fashioned Ham Salad Spread
• Slow Cooker Ham and Bean Soup
• Instant Pot Ham and Bean Soup
• Ham and Cheese Sliders

Monte Cristo Sandwich Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 Large Eggs
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 slices White bread, medium thickness
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons Mayonnaise
• 1/2 pound thick sliced baked ham
• 4 slices of Gruyere cheese
• 2 tablespoons unsalted Butter

For Serving

• Confectioner’s sugar
• Maple Syrup
• Raspberry Jam

INSTRUCTIONS

The first step in making a Monte Cristo Sandwich is to prepare the egg mixture. This process is very similar to making French toast, however we will not be using cinnamon in this recipe.

In a shallow dish, or a 9 inch pie plate add the eggs. Whisk until well combined and add salt and pepper to taste. Set the whisked eggs aside and assemble the sandwich.

Take two pieces of bread and spread the mustard on one side of each piece. Then spread the mayonnaise on one side of the other two pieces of bread.

Assemble The Sandwich

Assemble the sandwich in this order: top the piece of bread that has been slathered with mayonnaise with a slice of cheese. Then add the ham on top of the cheese.

Next, place a second piece of cheese on top of the ham. Finally, finish making the Monte Cristo sandwich by placing a piece of bread with the mustard side down, touching the cheese.

Repeat the process to assemble the second sandwich. Now use the palm of your hand to slightly compress each sandwich.

Cooking Instructions

Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the butter to the pan and let it melt. While the butter is melting, dip and coat each sandwich in the beaten egg for just a quick second on each side.

Place the coated sandwiches in the melted butter and place in the skillet. Cook on one side for 2 to 3 minutes until the bread is golden brown in color.

Then flip and continue to cook the Monte Cristo Sandwich until the second side turns golden brown and the cheese is nice and melted. Remove the sandwiches from the pan and place each one on a plate.

Slice the sandwiches in half and drizzle the top with maple syrup. Then sprinkle a generous amount of Confectioner’s sugar on top.

Serve the sandwiches warm with a small serving bowl of Raspberry jam for dipping.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the best bread to use? It is best to use a medium-thick sliced white bread for this recipe. Texas toast and Brioche style breads are excellent choices.
2. Should I add turkey to my Monte Cristo Sandwiches? Although in many restaurants sliced turkey is frequently added to a Monte Cristo, this isn’t the original recipe. However, if you like sliced turkey, by all means add it!
3. Can I make these sandwiches ahead of time? Because of the unique nature of the fried bread, it is best to enjoy this sandwich hot off the griddle. The taste just isn’t the same if you try to keep them warm and serve later.

Enjoy! Mary

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