Bakery bread that is close to its “sell by” date is often marked down in order for it to sell quickly before it spoils. You can often nab some fantastic deals on baked goods if you keep your eyes open while shopping. You should try to eat it right away for best quality. But, if you aren’t able to eat the bread the day you purchase it, there are a number of dishes that actually taste better with slightly dry bread – perfect use of these bargain purchases.
One of those great recipes is the egg bake. It’s basically bread, cheese, meat and/or veggies, covered in an egg and milk mixture that is refrigerated overnight and baked in the morning. This is a great way to feed a crowd early in the morning as well as an ideal dish to take to brunch get-togethers. Sounds like a great holiday meal to me! It also makes an elegant lunch when paired with a salad.
Usually egg bakes are prepared in 9 x 13-inch baking pans. However, I enjoy making things in individual servings. The following is a basic recipe that feeds one. You can customize it however you want and prepare as many as you would like to feed. 2-cup baking dishes are ideal.
Bacon Cheddar Egg Bake
1 cup bread cubes
1/3 cup grated cheddar
2 slices bacon, cooked and chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup milk
1/16 teaspoon black pepper
Grease a 2-cup baking dish. Spread bread cubes across bottom. Sprinkle cheese and bacon over the top. In small mixing bowl, combine egg, milk, and black pepper. Pour over bread and cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, preheat oven to 350F. Bake for 25 minutes or until puffy, and a tester inserted comes out clean.
Visit Ultimate Recipe Swap this week for a great roundup of Fourth of July recipes.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I love making delicious, comforting breakfasts in the morning! I’d love to make this! You should consider submitting this to Recipe4Living’s Breakfast Casserole Recipe Contest! You could win a whole bunch of things from Melitta Coffee!
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Hello, I am new to the world of blogging. I was admiring your selection of freezer recipes, as these are some things I would like to try in our attempt to be as prepared as possible before children. But anyways back to my question…How are you freezing these? Just prepare and instead of placing in refrigerator over night put in freezer? Thank you so much.
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Jessica Reply:
August 20th, 2011 at 9:37 am
Yes, that is how I prep for freezing.
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Does this have to be refrigerated overnight or can it be cooked immediately?
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Jessica Reply:
October 2nd, 2011 at 7:25 am
I have never tried cooking it right away. I don’t know. Try it and tell me?
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Would this work in the microwave. I’m trying to think of good microwave egg dishes for work. I leave for work very early and work out before I start my day and am ravenous by the time 8:00 AM rolls around. But we don’t have an oven in the office…
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Jessica Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:10 am
I don’t know. I’ve never microwaved egg dishes. Try it and let me know?
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Do you think this recipe could be made in a Giant Muffin tin? The 6x size? How long would you guess for a baking time then? Have you ever made it smaller than the 2-cup size?
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Jessica Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:26 am
@Zina :: Let’s Lasso the Moon, I don’t know. I don’t have that size pan. But, when I’m testing something for size, I just go for it, and check for doneness after the first 15 minutes, and then every 5 after that.
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Zina :: Let's Lasso the Moon Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 7:44 am
Thanks Jessica! I just *had* to share on Pinterest:
http://pinterest.com/peanutblossom/bring-back-the-family-meal/
Do you have an account over there? I’d love to follow you or add you as a contributor to some of the fun group boards I’ve got rolling:
http://pinterest.com/zina/
I am smitten with your blog. Thank you for all you do!
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Jessica Reply:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:28 am
Thanks, Zina. I’m fishmama on pinterest. Thanks so much!
Hello,
Do you have the recipe for making this in say a 8 x 8 or 13 x9 pan? Thank you!
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Jessica Reply:
February 18th, 2012 at 9:09 am
@Jennifer, you should be able to multiply it by 3 or 6 for those pans.
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