Christmas Morning Wife Saver

This hearty "Wife Saver" is the ultimate make-ahead holiday breakfast. It features layers of crustless bread, salty back bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, all soaked in a rich, spiced custard of eggs, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. The addition of minced onion, green pepper, and a dash of Tabasco gives it a complex, savory depth that pairs beautifully with the melted cheese. Topped with crushed cornflakes or Special K and butter before baking, it emerges from the oven with a golden, crispy crust and a tender, custardy interior. Ideal for Christmas morning, it feeds a crowd and can be assembled the night before for effortless serving.

Cooking Method: Baking

Cuisine: Global

Courses: Baked Goods

Difficulty: Advanced

Servings: 8

Calories: 656

Dietary: Gluten-free

Description

This hearty "Wife Saver" is the ultimate make-ahead holiday breakfast. It features layers of crustless bread, salty back bacon, and sharp cheddar cheese, all soaked in a rich, spiced custard of eggs, milk, and Worcestershire sauce. The addition of minced onion, green pepper, and a dash of Tabasco gives it a complex, savory depth that pairs beautifully with the melted cheese. Topped with crushed cornflakes or Special K and butter before baking, it emerges from the oven with a golden, crispy crust and a tender, custardy interior. Ideal for Christmas morning, it feeds a crowd and can be assembled the night before for effortless serving.

Ingredients

16 slices Bread; crusts removed
16 slices Back bacon or ham; cooked
16 slices Cheddar cheese; sharp
6 Eggs
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/2 teaspoon Pepper
1 teaspoon Dry mustard
1/4 cup Onion; minced
1/4 cup Green pepper; finely chopped
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
3 cups Milk; whole or 2%
1 dash Tabasco
1/4 pound Butter

Directions

1
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2
Arrange 8 slices of crustless bread in the bottom of the dish to form the first layer.
3
Top the bread with 8 slices of cooked back bacon or ham, covering the bread completely.
4
Layer 8 slices of sharp cheddar cheese over the meat.
5
Place the remaining 8 slices of bread on top of the cheese to create a sandwich-like structure.
6
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper until well combined.
7
Stir in dry mustard, minced onion, chopped green pepper, Worcestershire sauce, milk, and Tabasco sauce until smooth.
8
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread layers, ensuring all slices are soaked.
9
Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to absorb the custard.
10
In the morning, remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes while the oven preheats.
11
Melt 1/4 pound of butter and pour it evenly over the top of the soaked bread.
12
Sprinkle crushed cornflakes or Special K cereal over the buttered surface for a crispy topping.
13
Bake uncovered for 1 hour, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set.
14
Let the casserole rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8

Amount Per Serving
Calories 656kcal

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 43.3g67%
Saturated Fat 20.1g101%
Cholesterol 114.6mg39%
Sodium 1786.5mg75%
Total Carbohydrate 27.5g10%
Dietary Fiber 1.5g6%
Sugars 4.4g
Protein 37.6g76%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Keywords: christmas, breakfast, bread pudding, savory, bacon, cheddar, ham, eggs, custard, holiday, brunch, make-ahead, casserole, wolverine, comfort food, baked, cheesy, hearty, morning, family style

Read it online: https://www.chefs-mate.com/recipe/christmas-morning-wife-saver/