Savory Sweet Ham Cheese Sandwich (Print Version)

Golden-fried ham and Swiss cheese layers with a touch of sweetness and a crispy finish.

# What You Need:

→ Bread

01 - 8 slices white sandwich bread

→ Filling

02 - 8 slices deli ham
03 - 8 slices Swiss cheese
04 - 4 teaspoons Dijon mustard (optional)

→ Egg Batter

05 - 3 large eggs
06 - 1/2 cup whole milk
07 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

→ For Frying

09 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
10 - 1 tablespoon vegetable oil

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
12 - Raspberry preserves or jam (optional)

# How To Make It:

01 - Arrange bread slices on a clean surface; optionally spread Dijon mustard on 4 slices.
02 - Layer 2 slices of ham and 2 slices of Swiss cheese onto each mustard-coated slice, then top with remaining bread slices to form sandwiches.
03 - In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, whole milk, salt, and black pepper until smooth.
04 - In a large skillet, warm unsalted butter and vegetable oil over medium heat until melted and shimmering.
05 - Immerse each sandwich thoroughly in the egg batter, ensuring even coating on both sides.
06 - Place coated sandwiches in the skillet, cooking 3 to 4 minutes per side; press gently and cook until golden brown and cheese is melted.
07 - Remove sandwiches from heat and allow to rest for 1 minute; cut diagonally into halves.
08 - Dust sandwiches with powdered sugar and serve immediately, optionally accompanied by raspberry preserves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ridiculously easy to make but tastes fancy enough to impress someone you're trying to win over.
  • The contrast between the warm, melted cheese and the crispy, slightly sweet exterior is genuinely addictive.
  • You probably have everything already sitting in your fridge, which means you can make this on a whim.
02 -
  • Don't let the bread sit too long in the egg batter or it'll become a soggy mess—think fast dip, not soak.
  • The heat needs to stay at medium so the outside gets golden before the inside gets too hot and the bread dries out.
  • Powdered sugar isn't optional if you want an actual Monte Cristo—it's the signature move that makes it special.
03 -
  • Make sure your skillet is hot enough that the butter foams when it hits but not so hot that it smokes, which means you're destroying the butter.
  • A diagonal cut isn't just for show—it somehow makes the sandwich easier to hold and more visually interesting on the plate, which matters more than you'd think.
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