Monte Cristo Sandwiches

Cook's Country

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 4  large eggs
• 1⁄4 cup heavy cream
• 2  teaspoons sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 6  tablespoons  strawberry jam or 6  tablespoons  raspberry jam
• 2  tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 12  slices  hearty white  sandwich bread, lightly toasted
• 18  thin slices deli swiss cheese or 18  gruyere cheese
• 12  thin slices deli ham, preferably Black Forest
• 12  thin slices  deli turkey
• 3  tablespoons  vegetable oil
•  powdered sugar

Directions

1. Position oven rack in the upper-middle position; preheat to 450°.
2. In a shallow dish (pie plate), whisk the eggs, cream, sugar, salt, dry mustard and cayenne together until combined.
3. Stir the jam and dijon mustard together in a small bowl.
4. Spread 1 teaspoon of the jam mixture on one side of each slice of toast.
5. Layer the slices of cheese, ham, and turkey on 6 slices of toast; repeat with a second layer of cheese, ham, and turkey.
6. Add a final layer of cheese and top with the remaining toast, with the jam side facing the cheese.
7. Using your hands, lightly press down on the sandwiches.
8. Pour the oil onto a rimmed baking sheet and heat in the oven until just smoking, about 7 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, using two hands, coat each sandwich with the egg mixture and transfer to a large plate.
10. Transfer the sandwiches to the preheated baking sheet and bake until golden brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side, using a spatula to flip.
11. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve immediately with the remaining jam mixture for dipping.