Custard French Toast Grilled Cheese (Printable)

Creamy custard-soaked bread filled with melted cheese, pan-seared until golden and deliciously gooey.

# Ingredient List:

→ Custard Mixture

01 - 3 large eggs
02 - 3/4 cup whole milk
03 - 1/4 cup heavy cream
04 - 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
05 - 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 - 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)

→ Bread

08 - 8 slices brioche or challah bread, approximately 1/2-inch thick

→ Cheese Filling

09 - 8 slices Gruyère or sharp cheddar cheese, or a combination

→ For Cooking

10 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
11 - 1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as canola

# How to Make:

01 - Whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, pepper, and Dijon mustard in a shallow bowl until fully combined.
02 - Place 4 slices of bread on a flat surface. Layer 2 slices of cheese on each, then top with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
03 - Warm a large nonstick skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon butter and 1/2 tablespoon oil, swirling to coat the surface evenly.
04 - Immerse each sandwich in the custard mixture, coating both sides thoroughly without oversaturating.
05 - Place custard-coated sandwiches in the skillet. Cook 3 to 4 minutes per side, gently pressing to ensure even browning and melted cheese. Cook in batches if necessary, replenishing butter and oil as needed.
06 - Transfer sandwiches to a cutting board. Let rest for 2 minutes before slicing and serving warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Its the best kind of kitchen experiment that actually works
  • The custard keeps the bread tender while the cheese gets impossibly melty
  • Sounds fancy but comes together in thirty minutes flat
02 -
  • Do not skip resting the bread after cooking, otherwise the cheese escapes immediately when you cut it
  • Medium heat is your friend, high heat burns the exterior before the cheese melts through
  • A cast iron skillet works beautifully if you do not have nonstick
03 -
  • Add a teaspoon of vanilla to the custard if you want to emphasize the French toast qualities
  • A sprinkle of fresh thyme or chopped chives on the cheese before closing the sandwich adds bright contrast
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