The Monte Cristo Sandwich is a classic American recipe featuring brioche bread slices, deli ham & turkey, Swiss cheese, raspberry jam, and a golden egg-dipped crust.
The decadent triple decker sandwich is best enjoyed hot out of the pan, offering the perfect blend of sweet meets savoury.
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What Is a Monte Cristo Sandwich?
The “Monte Cristo” started appearing in print in the 1950s, most notably in Southern California.
The now iconic sandwich entered mainstream popularity in the 1960s, thanks to diners, hotel restaurants and theme parks. One of the most famous versions was served at Disneyland, where it was deep-fried and dusted with powdered sugar, cementing the sandwich’s reputation as a decadent, special-occasion meal.
Today, it’s a staple on brunch menus and in family restaurants across North America.
Culinary historians note that the Monte Cristo Sandwich is the American cousin of the French croque monsieur, with one key twist: sweetness. Instead of staying strictly savoury, it adds sweet berry jam and powdered sugar, creating a rich, diner-style classic that’s equal parts grilled cheese and French toast.
The popular triple-decker sandwich is traditionally:
- Layered with ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese
- Fried in butter after being dipped in an egg mixture, like French toast
- Served with powdered sugar and jam on the side
Why You’ll Love This Sandwich
- Fast and approachable: No deep-frying required
- Perfect balance of sweet and savoury
- Ideal for brunch, lunch, or a decadent dinner
- Uses simple and affordable deli ingredients you likely already have at home
How to Make a Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Prep the bread: Spread mayonnaise on one side of two slices of brioche. On the remaining slice (this will be the middle layer), spread Dijon mustard on one side and raspberry jam on the other.
- Assemble the sandwich: Layer one slice of mayo-spread bread with Swiss cheese and ham. Add the mustard-and-jam slice, then top with turkey, more Swiss cheese, and the final slice of mayo-spread bread.
- Press gently: Lightly press the sandwich with a skillet or grill press to flatten the brioche slightly and help everything hold together.
- Dip in egg mixture: In a shallow dish, whisk together the egg and milk. Dip the sandwich into the mixture, allowing it to absorb some liquid without becoming soggy or falling apart.
- Cook until golden: Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Cook the sandwich for 3–4 minutes per side, until golden brown and the cheese is fully melted. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Finish and serve: Dust generously with powdered sugar, slice in half, and serve with extra raspberry jam on the side.
Recipe Tips for the Best Monte Cristo Sandwich
- Use sturdy bread: Brioche works best because it’s rich but strong enough to hold up to the egg dip. Challah or sourdough are excellent alternatives.
- Don’t oversoak the sandwich: You want the bread lightly coated in egg, not saturated. Too much liquid will cause the sandwich to fall apart in the pan.
- Cook low and slow: Medium heat ensures the bread browns evenly while giving the cheese time to melt fully.
- Press before dipping: Gently flattening the sandwich helps the layers stay together and prevents sliding when you cook it.
- Balance the sweetness: If you prefer less sweet, reduce the jam slightly or skip the powdered sugar, though it’s traditional for a reason.
- Let it rest briefly: Resting the sandwich for a minute on paper towels keeps it crisp and helps the layers set before slicing.
Serving Ideas & Variations
- Swap raspberry jam for blackberry or strawberry
- Serve with fresh fruit or a light green salad
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the egg mixture for warmth
- Use leftover roast turkey or glazed ham deeper flavour
- We’ve used pre-sliced Swiss cheese but you can also grate Emmentaler or Gruyere
You May Also Enjoy These Sandwich Recipes…
- Egg Salad Sandwich
- Smorgastarta Traditional Swedish Sandwich Cake
- Crispy Chicken Schnitzel Sandwich
- Prime Rib French Dip Sandwich
- Fresh Fig Prosciutto Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Gruyere Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- Thanksgiving Turkey Cranberry Sandwich
Monte Cristo Sandwich Video (Step by Step)
Monte Cristo Sandwich
Equipment
- Large Nonstick Skillet
- Shallow Bowl
- whisk
Ingredients
- 3 slices Brioche Bread
- 1 tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- 3 tbsp Raspberry Jam
- 2 slices Sliced Swiss Cheese 2 oz
- 2 slices Sliced Deli Turkey 2 oz
- 2 slices Sliced Deli Ham 2 oz
- 1 Large Egg
- 1 tbsp Milk
- 2 tsp Butter
- Powdered Sugar garnish
Instructions
- Spread mayonnaise on a single side of two slices of brioche bread. On the remaining slice of bread (which will be the middle of your sandwich) spread Dijon mustard on one side and raspberry jam on the other.
- Make the sandwiches by layering a slice of mayo slathered bread, cheese, ham, the dijon and raspberry slice of bread, followed by turkey, cheese, and the final slice of mayo slathered bread.
- Press down the sandwich to help flatten the thick slices of bread with a grill press or skillet.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and the milk. Dip sandwich into the egg mixture, until some of the liquid absorbs into the bread, but it isn’t falling apart.
- Put the butter over medium heat in a large nonstick skillet. Cook 3-4 minutes per side, until sandwich is golden and cheese is melted. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Dust sandwich with powdered sugar, slice in half, and serve with leftover jam on the side.
Nutrition
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