Description

A delicious and hearty Cheese & Bacon Breakfast Strata Cake, perfect as a breakfast casserole. This savory dish combines crispy bacon, fluffy eggs, rich cheese, and cubes of bread soaked overnight to create a comforting and satisfying meal, ideal for serving family or guests on a weekend morning.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat

300g / 10 oz bacon, diced (or ham)

Egg Mixture

6 large eggs
1 1/4 cups milk (full cream or low fat)
1/4 tsp salt
Black pepper, to taste

Bread & Cheese

7 cups (packed) plain bread, cut into 2 cm / 1 inch cubes (preferably slightly stale, e.g. baguettes)
2 cups cheese, shredded (divided as 1 1/2 cups and 1/2 cup)

Garnish (Optional)

Parsley, finely chopped

Instructions

Cook bacon: Heat a large non-stick frying pan over high heat. Add all but 2 tablespoons of diced bacon (reserve some for topping) and cook until lightly browned. Remove the cooked bacon from the pan and drain on paper towels.
Whisk eggs and milk: In a large bowl, whisk together the six eggs, 1 1/4 cups milk, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and black pepper to taste until fully combined.
Soak bread: Add the cubed bread, 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese, and cooked bacon to the egg mixture. Mix well to ensure all the bread is soaked. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or overnight for the best flavor and texture.
Preheat oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F), suitable for all oven types.
Prepare cake tin: Generously grease a 20cm (8 inch) springform cake tin or a similar cake pan without loose sides with butter to prevent sticking and leakage.
Fill the tin: Pour the soaked bread mixture into the prepared cake tin. Pat down gently to compress the mixture evenly. Sprinkle the reserved uncooked bacon and remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese over the top. Cover loosely with foil.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 to 20 minutes until the top is golden and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating it is fully cooked.
Rest and serve: Allow the strata cake to rest for 5 minutes before removing it from the springform tin or turning out onto a serving plate. Garnish with finely chopped parsley if desired. Cut into slices and serve warm.

Notes

Using slightly stale bread helps the bread absorb the egg mixture better without becoming too soggy.
Choose your favorite cheese for shredding, such as cheddar or a mild cheese, for best flavor.
Springform pans are convenient to remove the strata without damage, but if using a regular cake pan, line with parchment paper to reduce sticking risk.
Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated for a quick breakfast or brunch.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 40-45 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Breakfast strata, bacon breakfast casserole, cheese breakfast bake, savory bread pudding, brunch recipe