Transform your leftover hot cross buns into an unforgettable sweet and savory Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole! This delightful layered breakfast strata is rich with eggy custard, packed with melted cheese, and loaded with crispy bacon – a truly irresistible combination perfect for any special morning.
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Breakfast casseroles hold a special place in my heart for numerous reasons. Beyond their generous, hearty nature that effortlessly feeds a hungry crowd, their incredible make-ahead convenience is a game-changer. Imagine prepping everything the night before and simply sliding it into the oven the next morning. Before you know it, a warm, comforting breakfast or brunch is ready to be savored, making busy mornings or holiday gatherings a breeze.
The inspiration for this particular recipe struck when I found myself with a surplus of store-bought hot cross buns after Easter. Instead of letting them go to waste, I wondered if their unique, subtly sweet flavor could be incorporated into a savory morning dish. The result was this wonderfully eggy casserole that exceeded all expectations. Since its creation years ago, it has become a cherished Easter morning brunch tradition, beloved by everyone who tries it.
Crafting this casserole requires minimal effort and a handful of common ingredients. The real secret to its success lies in allowing ample time for the eggy custard to thoroughly soak into the buns. An overnight rest in the refrigerator is highly recommended, as it ensures every single bite is infused with delicious flavor and achieves a perfectly moist, uniform texture throughout.
Why You’ll Love This Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole
- Effortless Make-Ahead Meal: Simply assemble it the night before and bake it in the morning. This convenience frees up your valuable time on special occasions or busy weekends, allowing you to enjoy more moments with family and friends.
- The Ultimate Sweet & Savory Balance: This dish perfectly marries the delicate sweetness and spiced notes of hot cross buns with the salty crunch of bacon, the richness of eggs, and the savory depth of two distinct cheeses. It’s a flavor symphony that satisfies every craving.
- Perfect for Easter Brunch: Elevate your holiday spread with a recipe that is both festive and incredibly delicious. It’s a unique and memorable alternative to traditional brunch dishes, guaranteed to impress your guests and become a new family favorite.
- Versatile & Customizable: Easily adapt the ingredients to suit your taste preferences or what you have on hand. Swap cheeses, add extra herbs, or even incorporate vegetables for a personalized touch.
- Hearty & Comforting: A generous and satisfying meal that will keep everyone feeling full and happy. Its warm, bubbling goodness straight from the oven is the epitome of comfort food.
Ingredients for the Best Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole
Crafting this casserole involves a blend of readily available ingredients that come together to create a truly spectacular dish. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential:
- Hot Cross Buns: You’ll need about 8 buns. Slightly stale buns are ideal as they absorb the custard mixture better without becoming overly soggy. For a truly savory experience, opt for plain hot cross buns without dried fruit or raisins. However, if you prefer a sweeter casserole, the fruited versions work wonderfully too.
- Bacon: About 8 slices, with some cooked and crumbled for mixing into the casserole, and a few strips reserved to create the iconic cross pattern on top. The bacon adds a crucial salty, smoky element and a delightful textural contrast.
- Milk: Any kind of milk you typically keep on hand will work. It forms the essential liquid base for our rich, flavorful custard.
- Heavy Cream: This is key to achieving that luxurious, creamy texture in the custard. It adds an unparalleled richness that elevates the entire dish.
- Garlic Cloves: Smashed to release their aromatic oils, these cloves are steeped in the milk mixture to infuse a subtle, savory depth without being overpowering.
- Whole Peppercorns: Adding whole peppercorns during the steeping process imparts a fresh, vibrant pepper flavor that’s more nuanced than ground pepper.
- Dried Bay Leaves: These contribute a distinct, herbaceous note to the custard, adding another layer of savory complexity.
- Dried Thyme: A classic herb that complements both the savory and slightly sweet elements of the casserole, offering an earthy, aromatic touch.
- Cayenne Pepper: Just a pinch provides a very subtle warmth, enhancing the savory profile without making the dish spicy. It’s an optional but highly recommended addition.
- Eggs: The binding agent for the casserole, creating the custardy texture that holds everything together. Large eggs are best for consistency.
- Fresh Chives: Finely chopped, chives add a mild oniony freshness and a pop of color, brightening the overall flavor. Dried chives can be used if fresh are unavailable.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella offers fantastic meltiness and a mild, creamy flavor, creating a wonderful gooey layer within the casserole.
- Gruyere Cheese: Shredded Gruyere is a star in this dish, providing a rich, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor that perfectly complements the other ingredients. Its excellent melting qualities also make it a superb choice for casseroles.
How To Make The Best Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole
Follow these detailed steps to create a show-stopping breakfast casserole that’s sure to be a hit:
- Prepare Your Baking Dish: Begin by liberally spraying the insides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray. This ensures easy removal and cleanup.
- Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook all but 3 strips of bacon until perfectly crispy. Drain the bacon on paper towels to remove excess fat, then coarsely chop it and set it aside. The remaining 3 strips will be used for decoration later.
- Infuse the Custard Base: In a saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, smashed garlic cloves, whole peppercorns, dried bay leaves, dried thyme, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for exactly 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the garlic and bay leaves to steep in the warm mixture as it cools. This step is crucial for infusing rich, aromatic flavors into your custard.
- Strain the Milk Mixture: Once the milk and cream mixture has cooled completely, strain it through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the solids (garlic, peppercorns, and bay leaves). Discard the strained solids, leaving you with a beautifully flavored liquid.
- Whisk the Eggs: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs until they are light and frothy. This aeration helps create a lighter, more absorbent custard. Gradually pour the cooled, strained milk-cream mixture into the whisked eggs, combining thoroughly. Finally, stir in the chopped chives for a fresh, herbaceous note.
- Layer the Buns (Bottom): Slice each hot cross bun horizontally to create two halves. Arrange the bottom halves of the buns in a single layer at the bottom of your prepared baking dish, fitting them snugly.
- Add First Custard & Cheese Layer: Pour approximately half of the egg-milk mixture evenly over the bottom layer of hot cross buns. Then, generously sprinkle all of the mozzarella cheese and half of the Gruyere cheese over the custard. Distribute the cooked, crumbled bacon evenly across this cheese layer.
- Layer the Buns (Top): Carefully place the top halves of the hot cross buns over the cheese and bacon layer, pressing down gently to ensure they make good contact with the custard.
- Final Custard, Bacon & Cheese Layer: Pour the remaining egg-milk mixture over the top layer of buns. Take the reserved 3 strips of bacon and slice them in half lengthwise. Arrange these bacon strips on top of the casserole to create a classic cross pattern, mimicking the crosses on the hot cross buns themselves if they are lined up. Finally, sprinkle the remaining Gruyere cheese over the entire surface.
- Refrigerate (Crucial Step): Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate it overnight, or for a minimum of 6 hours. This essential soaking time allows the bread to fully absorb the rich custard, preventing a dry top and overly eggy bottom.
- Bake to Perfection: When ready to bake, preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Keep the casserole covered with foil and bake for 1 hour. After this time, remove the foil and continue baking for another 15 minutes, or until the casserole is golden brown, hot and bubbly, and the center is fully set (a knife inserted into the center should come out clean).
- Serve and Enjoy!: Let the casserole rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving. The aromas alone will have everyone eager to dig in!
Chef Jenn’s Expert Tips for Success
Unlock the full potential of your Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole with these insider tips:
- Bread Choice Matters: While hot cross buns offer a unique and festive touch, any hearty, slightly sweet bread like brioche, challah, or even a good quality Texas toast can be used as a substitute. The key is to find a bread that can stand up to soaking without disintegrating.
- The Stale Bun Advantage: For the best texture, always aim for slightly stale hot cross buns. Fresh buns can become too mushy when saturated with custard. If your buns are too fresh, you can lightly toast them in the oven for 5-10 minutes to dry them out a bit before slicing.
- The Critical Overnight Soak: This is arguably the most important tip! Do not rush the soaking process. The casserole truly needs several hours, ideally overnight, for the eggy custard to fully penetrate both layers of the buns. Skipping this step will result in a dry top layer and a dense, overly eggy bottom. Plan ahead for superior results.
- Customizing Your Cheeses: Don’t feel limited to mozzarella and Gruyere! This recipe is incredibly versatile. Feel free to swap them out for other excellent melting cheeses like sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, Colby, or Swiss. A blend of your favorite cheeses can create a personalized flavor profile.
- Avoiding Fruited Buns for Savory: If you’re aiming for a purely savory casserole, seek out hot cross buns that do not contain dried fruit or raisins. The sweetness from the fruit can sometimes clash with the bacon and savory spices. However, if you enjoy a more pronounced sweet and savory contrast, feel free to use fruited buns!
- Enhance the Spices: For a deeper, richer flavor, consider lightly toasting the whole peppercorns and bay leaves in a dry pan for a minute or two before steeping them in the milk and cream. This brings out their aromatic qualities even more.
- Serving Temperature: While delicious hot, this casserole is also excellent served warm or even at room temperature, making it ideal for brunch buffets.
Delicious Variations to Try
Feel free to get creative with your Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole! Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Vegetarian Delight: Omit the bacon entirely. Instead, add sautéed mushrooms, spinach, roasted bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes to the casserole layers for a flavorful meat-free option.
- Extra Sweet Treat: If you prefer a sweeter casserole, skip the bacon. You can use hot cross buns with fruit, add a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar between the layers, and drizzle with maple syrup or a simple glaze after baking.
- Spicy Kick: Increase the cayenne pepper to your liking for a bolder, spicier profile. You could also add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices.
- Herbaceous Twist: Incorporate other fresh herbs like finely chopped rosemary or sage alongside the chives and thyme for a different aromatic dimension.
- Protein Boost: Add cooked breakfast sausage or diced ham along with the bacon for an even heartier meal.
- Different Spices: A touch of nutmeg or allspice can enhance the “sweet” aspect of the buns, even in a savory casserole.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This casserole is fantastic for meal prepping or enjoying leftovers:
- Refrigerator: Leftover Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezer: For longer storage, wrap individual slices or the entire baked and cooled casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. It can be frozen for up to 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
- Reheating: To reheat, individual portions can be warmed in the microwave until hot. For larger portions or the whole casserole, cover with foil and reheat in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for 15-25 minutes, or until thoroughly heated through. Remove the foil for the last few minutes if you desire crispier edges.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can I use fresh hot cross buns?
Yes, you can, but slightly stale buns are highly recommended. Fresh buns tend to absorb less liquid and might result in a softer, less structured casserole. If using fresh, consider lightly toasting them first to dry them out slightly. - What kind of bacon should I use?
Any type of bacon works well! Regular cut, thick cut, or even turkey bacon can be used. Just ensure it’s cooked crispy for the best texture and flavor contrast. - Can I substitute the cheeses?
Absolutely! While mozzarella and Gruyere are a fantastic combination, feel free to use other good melting cheeses like sharp cheddar, Colby Jack, Fontina, or a blend of your favorites. - Is this casserole suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, it can easily be made vegetarian by simply omitting the bacon. For added flavor and substance, consider incorporating sautéed vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or bell peppers. - How do I know when the casserole is fully cooked?
The casserole is done when it’s golden brown and bubbly around the edges, and the center is set. You can insert a thin knife into the center; if it comes out clean, it’s ready. - Can I prepare this casserole without an overnight soak?
While it’s possible to soak it for just a few hours (at least 6), the overnight soak truly yields the best results, ensuring the bread is perfectly saturated and the texture is consistent throughout.
Make It A Meal
The Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole is a wonderfully complete meal on its own, offering a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with ample protein and carbs. However, if you’re looking to round out your brunch spread or add a little extra something, here are some delightful pairings:
- Fresh Fruit Salad: A simple, vibrant fruit salad provides a refreshing counterpoint to the richness of the casserole. Think mixed berries, melon, grapes, and orange segments.
- Citrus Halves: A beautifully cut grapefruit or orange half offers a zesty, bright accompaniment.
- Extra Meats: For a truly decadent spread, consider serving slices of savory smoked ham or some delectable Sausage Rolls on the side. These add more protein and a different texture.
- Light Green Salad: A simple mixed greens salad with a light vinaigrette can cut through the richness and add a fresh element.
- Beverages: Pair with fresh orange juice, coffee, or even a celebratory mimosa for a special brunch.
Step By Step Process
Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole Recipe
Sweet and savory combine in this easy-to-prepare and oh-so-cheesy Hot Cross Bun Breakfast Casserole! The perfect Easter brunch recipe, this tasty dish is going to wow everyone with its unique flavors and comforting warmth.
Course: Breakfast, Casseroles
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast, breakfast casserole, brunch, easter, hot cross bun breakfast casserole
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Soaking Time: 6 hours (or overnight)
Servings: 8 servings
Author: Chef Jenn
Ingredients
- 8 hot cross buns (preferably slightly stale)
- 8 slices bacon
- 2 1/2 cups milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (recommended link)
- 4 cloves garlic, smashed
- 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (recommended link)
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 7 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon chopped chives (fresh or dried, optional)
- 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 1 1/2 cups Gruyere cheese, shredded, divided (recommended link)
Instructions
- Spray the insides of a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Cook all but 3 strips of bacon until crispy. Drain the bacon, coarsely chop it, and set aside.
- Combine the milk, cream, smashed garlic cloves, whole peppercorns, dried bay leaves, dried thyme, and cayenne pepper in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the garlic and bay leaves to steep as it cools.
- Once cooled, strain the milk and cream mixture, discarding the solids.
- Whisk the eggs until frothy, then gradually whisk in the cooled milk-cream mixture. Stir in the chopped chives.
- Slice the hot cross buns in half horizontally. Arrange the bottom halves in the prepared baking dish.
- Pour about half of the egg mixture over the buns. Top with all the mozzarella cheese and half of the Gruyere cheese. Sprinkle the cooked bacon over this layer.
- Place the top halves of the hot cross buns over the cheese and bacon, pressing down gently.
- Add the remaining egg-milk mixture. Slice the remaining 3 bacon strips in half lengthwise and arrange them in a cross pattern on top of the casserole, aligning with the buns’ crosses if possible. Sprinkle with the remaining Gruyere cheese.
- Cover the casserole and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 6 hours) to allow the custard to soak into the bread thoroughly.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cover the casserole with foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until hot, bubbly, golden, and set in the middle.
- Serve warm and enjoy!
Nutrition Information (Approximate Per Serving)
Serving: 1.5 cups | Calories: 797kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 31g | Fat: 56g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 411mg | Sodium: 797mg | Potassium: 262mg | Fiber: 0.1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 2146IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 556mg | Iron: 2mg
A Note on Nutritional Information: Nutritional information for this recipe is provided as a courtesy and is calculated based on available online ingredient information. It is only an approximate value. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site cannot be guaranteed.
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