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If you’ve ever dreamed of turning the classic French Croque Madame into a bite-sized, fun breakfast treat, you’re going to love the Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe. This delightful twist takes the rich, creamy, and savory flavors of the traditional sandwich and transforms them into portable, adorable little cups that pack all the comfort and indulgence you crave for your morning meal. Perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself, these toastie cups are surprisingly simple to make yet incredibly rewarding with every bite.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe plays an essential role: from the creamy béchamel sauce that envelops the filling to the buttery, crisp bread that forms the base of these cups. These simple, familiar components come together to create a luxurious breakfast experience with taste, texture, and color working harmoniously.
- Unsalted butter (1 1/2 tbsp): Used to make a smooth béchamel sauce and add richness to the bread base.
- Flour (1 1/2 tbsp): The thickening agent for the béchamel, giving it that perfect velvety texture.
- Milk (1 1/4 cups): Full fat works best here for creaminess, but you can use low fat if preferred.
- Grated Gruyere cheese (1/3 cup, plus extra for sprinkling): Adds a nutty, savory flavor and melts beautifully.
- Dijon mustard (2 tsp): Gives the sauce a subtle tang and depth without overpowering.
- Freshly ground nutmeg (1/4 tsp): A warming spice that elevates the béchamel.
- Salt (1/4 tsp) and black pepper (to taste): Essential seasonings to balance and highlight flavors.
- Fresh white bread (6 large slices): Crusts removed and rolled flat to create the perfect cup shape.
- Melted butter (2 tbsp): Used to brush the bread for that golden, crispy finish.
- Eggs (6): One cracked into each toast cup, providing richness and a lovely runny yolk option.
- Leg ham (100 g / 3 oz): Thinly sliced to fit into the cups, adding a savory meatiness.
- Fresh parsley (finely chopped): For a pop of bright color and freshness as garnish.
How to Make Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Oven
Begin by setting your oven to 180C/350F. This steady moderate heat is essential for gently baking your toastie cups so the bread crisps just right without browning too quickly. While your oven warms up, you can start prepping the bread and sauce to make the process smooth and efficient.
Step 2: Prepare the Bread Cups
Remove the crusts from your fresh white bread slices—it’s key to have a soft, pliable base that molds easily into the muffin tin cups. Using a rolling pin, gently press down on each slice to flatten them out just enough to fit into the muffin tin cavities snugly. Press each piece neatly into the muffin cups, forming perfect little bread bowls that will hold all your delicious fillings.
Step 3: Pre-Bake the Bread Cups
Place your bread-lined muffin tin into the oven (even if it’s still warming up) for about 5 minutes. This brief bake dries out the bread slightly, ensuring it crisps nicely later without becoming soggy from the sauce and egg. Watch carefully to prevent any browning at this stage – you want the bread pliable yet firm enough to hold the filling.
Step 4: Make the Béchamel Sauce
While the bread is baking, melt 1 1/2 tablespoons of unsalted butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux—this cooks out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring a smooth sauce with no lumps. Simmer gently until it thickens, then stir in the grated Gruyere cheese, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper. This luscious béchamel is the heart of the recipe, bringing creaminess and depth of flavor.
Step 5: Assemble the Toastie Cups
Remove the muffin tin from the oven and brush the bread cups inside with melted butter for extra crispness. Lay a thin slice of leg ham in each cup, then spoon a generous amount of the béchamel sauce over the ham. Crack an egg carefully into each cup so the yolk sits atop the filling. Sprinkle each with a little extra grated cheese for that irresistible golden finish.
Step 6: Final Bake
Return the muffin tin to the oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, or until the egg whites are set but yolks remain slightly runny if you like it that way. This final bake melds all the flavors beautifully while creating a golden top that’s irresistible. Let the cups cool slightly before removing them carefully from the tin.
How to Serve Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley adds the perfect fresh, vibrant contrast to the rich béchamel and melted cheese. A tiny dusting of nutmeg on top intensifies that classic Croque Madame flavor. Don’t be shy with the pepper here – freshly ground black pepper lets each bite pop with subtle spice.
Side Dishes
These toastie cups shine brightest with simple, fresh sides: think a crisp green salad with a lemon vinaigrette or roasted cherry tomatoes that bring juicy sweetness. Lightly sautéed spinach or grilled asparagus also pairs marvelously, balancing the richness of the croque madame cups.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these toastie cups on a rustic wooden board for a charming brunch vibe or arrange in brightly colored muffin liners for a festive twist. You could also add individual ramekins of hollandaise or hot sauce for dipping, turning your breakfast spread into an interactive feast that guests will rave about!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To keep the bread from becoming too soggy, it’s best to cool the cups completely before storing them.
Freezing
You can freeze these cups individually by wrapping each tightly in plastic wrap and then placing them in a freezer-safe bag. They’ll keep well for up to one month. When you want to enjoy them again, just thaw overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
Reheat your croque madame toastie cups in an oven preheated to 180C/350F for about 10-12 minutes. Avoid the microwave if possible, as it can make the bread soggy and the eggs rubbery. This gentle reheating helps restore the original texture and flavors close to freshly baked.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat or gluten-free bread for this recipe?
Absolutely! Just keep in mind whole wheat bread might be a bit denser and less pliable, so gently rolling it thinner helps. For gluten-free bread, look for a sturdy variety that holds shape well when pressed into the muffin tin.
What kind of cheese works best besides Gruyere?
If you don’t have Gruyere, a tasty cheddar or even Swiss cheese are excellent alternatives. Each adds a slightly different nutty and melty flavor that still complements the béchamel and ham beautifully.
Can I replace the ham with another protein?
Yes! Smoked turkey, cooked bacon, or even sautéed mushrooms are fantastic substitutions depending on your preference for meat or vegetarian versions.
How do I make sure the egg yolk stays runny?
The key is to bake just until the whites are set but the yolks still jiggle slightly when you gently shake the muffin tin. Keep an eye during baking time as ovens vary, starting to check around 18 minutes.
Is it okay to prepare the béchamel sauce and bread cups in advance?
Definitely! You can prepare the béchamel sauce a day ahead and refrigerate it, gently reheating before assembling. Similarly, bread cups can be pre-baked and stored loosely covered at room temperature overnight for convenience.
Final Thoughts
Once you try this Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe, you’ll never look at breakfast the same way again. These little treasures combine sophistication and comfort in such a fun, approachable form that they’re guaranteed to become a fast favorite for weekend brunches or special mornings. Grab your muffin tin and start creating your own bites of breakfast indulgence – trust me, your taste buds will thank you!
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Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Description
These Muffin Tin Breakfast Croque Madame Toastie Cups are a delightful twist on the classic French sandwich. Featuring a crispy bread cup filled with creamy béchamel sauce, melted gruyere cheese, leg ham, and topped with a perfectly cooked egg, this recipe brings together rich flavors and textures ideal for a comforting breakfast or brunch.
Ingredients
Sauce & Filling
- 1 1/2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 tbsp flour
- 1 1/4 cups milk (full fat works best, though low fat does work)
- 1/3 cup grated gruyere cheese (or tasty or cheddar), plus extra for sprinkling
- 2 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/4 tsp freshly ground nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp salt
- Black pepper
Bread & Toppings
- 6 large slices of fresh white bread
- 2 tbsp melted butter (salted or unsalted)
- 6 eggs
- 100 g / 3 oz leg ham
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Freshly ground nutmeg (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Turn the oven on to 180C/350F to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking your toastie cups.
- Prepare Bread Cups: Cut the crusts off the bread slices, then roll each slice out with a rolling pin to flatten slightly. This will help the bread mold easily into the muffin tin cups.
- Form Bread Cups and Dry: Press the flattened bread slices into Texas muffin tins to form cups. Place into the oven (even if it is still heating) for 5 minutes to dry out the bread slightly without browning.
- Make Béchamel Sauce: In a saucepan, melt the unsalted butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for about a minute to form a roux. Gradually add the milk, whisking continuously to avoid lumps. Cook until the sauce thickens to a creamy consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the grated gruyere cheese, Dijon mustard, nutmeg, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Assemble and Bake: Brush the bread cups with melted butter, then fill each cup with diced leg ham and a spoonful of the béchamel sauce. Crack an egg into each cup on top. Sprinkle with extra grated cheese. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until the eggs are cooked to your liking and the tops are lightly golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the toastie cups from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and a light dusting of freshly ground nutmeg. Serve warm for a delicious breakfast or brunch treat.
Notes
- Use fresh sandwich white bread for best results as it forms cups easily when rolled out and pressed.
- Ensure not to brown the bread cups during the initial oven drying step; they should just be slightly dried out to hold fillings better.
- Full-fat milk creates a richer béchamel but low-fat milk can be substituted for a lighter sauce.
- Gruyere cheese offers an authentic flavor, but tasty or cheddar cheese can also be used depending on preference.
