Description
Crispy French classic croque madame elevates breakfast with layers of buttery puff pastry, savory ham, and melted gruyère, crowned by a golden sunny-side-up egg. Parisian comfort meets elegant simplicity, delighting you with each rich, indulgent bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 8 eggs
- 8 slices Black Forest ham
- 6 ounces (170 grams) Gruyere cheese, shredded
Pastry and Binding:
- 2 sheets puff pastry, thawed
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon water (for egg wash)
Seasonings:
- Kosher salt
- Ground black pepper
- Chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 400°F, preparing a stable cooking environment for the delicate pastry creation.
- Gently unfurl pastry sheets, transforming them into precise squares by cutting each sheet into four equal portions.
- Carefully position pastry squares onto parchment-lined baking sheets, delicately perforating the center with fork tines to prevent excessive rising.
- Apply a light egg wash across pastry surfaces, sprinkling a whisper of salt to enhance flavor profile.
- Distribute thin ham slices strategically across each pastry square, creating a savory foundation.
- Artfully scatter cheese around the perimeter of each square, intentionally leaving a central space for the upcoming egg placement.
- Slide the prepared pastries into the preheated oven, allowing 10-15 minutes for initial baking until edges become golden and slightly puffy.
- Using the rounded back of a spoon, gently press a small indentation into the center of each partially baked pastry.
- Carefully crack a single egg into the created well, seasoning each egg with a delicate sprinkle of salt and pepper.
- Return pastries to the oven for an additional 10-15 minutes, monitoring until egg whites become completely set and opaque.
- Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped chives, serving immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Select puff pastry sheets that are fresh and cold for the best flaky texture, ensuring they’re thawed but still chilled when handling.
- Try different cheese varieties like sharp cheddar, gruyère, or goat cheese to customize flavor profiles and keep the dish interesting.
- Use high-quality ham or swap with bacon, prosciutto, or vegetarian alternatives like roasted vegetables for diverse dietary preferences.
- Control egg doneness by watching closely during final baking, removing when whites are just set for runny yolks or cooking longer for firmer textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 18g
- Cholesterol: 230mg