Croque Madame

Our croque madame is one of the finest breakfast sandwiches you will ever have! It's a French classic and is made with French bread, Black Forest ham and a crazy delicious cheese sauce. You can make the sauce ahead then the sandwich itself comes together in a snap. Perfect for brunch or anytime you want to take breakfast to the next level!

Prep Time5

Cook Time20

Total Time25

Servings: servings

Calories: 760kcal

Author: Heavenly Home Cooking

Ingredients

Sauce

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup milk warmed
¾ cup shredded Swiss cheese
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt & pepper to taste

Sandwich

8 slices French bread or white bread
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 large eggs
salt & pepper
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
½ lb Black Forest ham thinly sliced
¼ cup shredded Swiss cheese

Instructions

Sauce

In a small saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat.
Whisk in the flour until smooth. Let bubble without browning, whisking frequently for 1 minute.
Gradually whisk in the warm milk, raise the heat to medium, and bring to a gentle boil, whisking frequently.
Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking frequently, until thickened, about 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in cheese and mustard.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer the sauce to a bowl and cover with a piece of plastic wrap pressed directly onto the surface of the sauce to prevent a skin from forming on the surface. Allow to cool.

Sandwich

Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Arrange the bread slices in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Bake, turning once, until toasted on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Set aside.
Melt the butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Crack the eggs into the skillet or griddle. Season with salt and pepper, cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook until the whites are set and the yolks are set to your liking, about 3-5 minutes.
Preheat the broiler on high.
Spread 4 toast slices with the Dijon mustard, dividing equally.
Add an equal amount of ham and 1 tablespoon of the sauce to each slice. Cover with the remaining toast slices.
Spread more sauce over the tops of the sandwiches and sprinkle each with the Swiss cheese.
Broil until the cheese is melted and lightly golden, 1-2 minutes.
Top each with a fried egg and serve.

Notes

Notes:

Be sure to refrigerate any leftover sauce in an airtight container within two hours of making it. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

You can also freeze it. It is best stored in a lidded mason jar. Make sure the sauce is completely cool, then fill the jar, leaving 1 inch at the top to allow for expansion. It will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

To reheat, remove the lid and heat in the microwave or on the stovetop. Stir frequently while reheating.

The sandwiches are best made and served fresh.

Nutrition