March 29, 2015

Egg and toast cups

It's almost Easter and I'm taking the occasion to once again pay homage to eggs, my favorite ingredient to cook with!  So I'm holding back on those Cadbury mini eggs this year (I'm happily munching on them straight from the bag) and instead of posting something sweet - like a cake or cupcakes - I'm talking eggs in a savory way with these very simple little egg and toast cups.
What's cuter and more fun than an a little egg cup for breakfast or brunch!  It doesn't even have to be Easter.  I think these egg and toast cups are rustic, cute and casual, but a little bit special at the same time.  The whole thing is portable and edible; it's essentially your egg and toast in one!  
The cup is simply made with lightly-buttered bread (white bread in this case), which becomes the cup or nest for the egg to bake in.  It's really easy to make in your standard muffin tin and while the egg cups are baking in the oven for about 20 minutes, you can pull the rest of your meal together.
I've wanted to make eggs in hash brown nests for a long time but it always sounded a bit labor-intensive and messy.  When I saw this recipe from Martha Stewart for bacon, egg and toast cups, I had a feeling this was a simple route more suited for me.  I opted to leave the bacon out of the cups to keep it super simple. I think it's easier (and better) to serve the bacon or any other accompaniments you want on the side.
I don't think you need me to describe how these egg and toast cups taste but funny enough, the fellas insist they taste like deep-dish pizza!  After a good laugh, I realize that the lightly buttered toast makes for a browned, flaky, almost pie-like crust that does call that to mind!  And when you eat it alongside a slice or two of bacon, it can be reminiscent of the kind of deep-dish pizza they like to eat.  How funny is that!  
So whether you make these little egg-toast cups as part of your Easter brunch, have them with some bacon, ham, or just on its own for a quick breakfast, I highly recommend it.  I'm big on having some fun with our breakfasts!


You need three basic ingredients to make these cups: bread, melted butter, and eggs

To make 6 of these, you'll need 8 slices of bread in total.  The extra slices will be used to fill the bottoms of the tins to fully cover each entire muffin cup.  I used white sandwich bread.  Stack your slices and roll the bread out to flatten slightly.  Then take a 4 to 4 1/2 inch biscuit cutter and cut circles out of the bread slices (if you're like me and don't have a biscuit cutter that size, use a similar size bowl and cut out the round with a paring knife).  Now slice the bread rounds in half down the middle.  Press 2 halves into each lightly buttered muffin cup, round side up. Tear off a piece of bread from the extra slices and plug in the hole at the bottom of the muffin cup.  
I crack my eggs in a small bowl before pouring into each muffin cup.  This way I make sure the yolk stays intact.  A large egg should just fit in each muffin cup but you can hold back some of the egg white if you find you have a bit too much (another good reason to crack the egg into a bowl first).
I like to season the eggs with salt and pepper after baking so I leave them as is and put them in a 375 degree oven to bake.  I took them out in about 20 minutes, when the whites are just set, in the hopes of having a soft yolk.  It should take 20-25 minutes.
While the eggs are baking, I finish pulling together the rest of my meal.  I gently ease the egg cups right out of the muffin tin with a little offset spatula.  They slide right out and we're ready to serve.  I sprinkle them with a touch of salt and pepper and they are ready to go!
I really do love eggs and I'm happy that my entire family enjoys them.  When my son was a toddler, he had a mild egg allergy.  He could eat anything made with eggs without a problem, but whenever he ate eggs straight-up, he had a reaction. Luckily, he outgrew that sensitivity and I can say that he loves to have eggs for breakfast (or whenever) almost as much as his mother!  

Recipe:

Egg and Toast Cups
Adapted from Martha Stewart

- Makes 6 egg cups - 

2 tablespoons melted butter (either unsalted or salted)
8 slices white (or whole wheat) sandwich bread
6 large eggs
Coarse salt and pepper

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly butter 6 standard size muffin cups.  

Using a rolling pin, slightly flatten the bread slices and cut into rounds using a 4 to 4 1/2 inch biscuit cutter (if you don't have one, use a similar size bowl and cut out rounds using a paring knife).  Cut each round in half down the middle.  Press two halves into each muffin cup, round side up, overlapping slightly and making sure the bread comes to the edge of the cup.  Use the extra bread to patch up any gap in the bottom of the cup.  Repeat with all six cups, then lightly brush the bread with the remaining butter.

Crack an egg into each of the bread cups (I suggest cracking the eggs into a small bowl first before transferring into the cups; the cup should hold the entire egg but you can hold back some of the egg white if you find it necessary).  Season with salt and pepper, if desired (I like to do it after baking).  Bake for 20-25 minutes, until egg whites are just set.  

Run a small knife or offset spatula around the cups to release.  Serve immediately.


43 comments:

  1. This is exactly my kind of breakfast, Monica. Healthy, nutritious and tasty!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I eat an egg for breakfast many mornings. I don't know what I'd do without them! : )

      Delete
  2. This is the coolest thing ever! You could serve them with all kinds of add-ons for a big party - so many possibilities. Eggs and toast never looked so pretty! Very nice :) Have a wonderful week Monica.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tricia...they were as easy to make as advertised. Martha's still got it! ; )

      Delete
  3. I could eat eggs for every meal. I love your eggs in toast- very tasty! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So could I, Betty! Wish I could eat 3 a day instead of the 1 I try to limit myself to (eggs used in baked goods don't count). ; )

      Delete
  4. GAH! Monica - I want these for breakfast tomorrow! They look absolutely delightful. And I'm not just keeping this for Easter either - because it looks fabulous for any day of the year. Pinned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are cute and most importantly, tasty at that. Thanks for pinning!

      Delete
  5. I came across your blog while looking for some egg recipes and liked a lot. How amazing! I will keep an eye out for all your recipes :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is amazing! Love the idea and the best part is that you can play around with different add-ons. Can't wait to make them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You definitely could get creative and you're the perfect person to do it, Sonali!

      Delete
  7. Oh my gosh, these are the cutest! Love the idea of eggs baked into toast cups - so fun and easy! My guys are big fans of eggs too so I know they would love these as well! <3 !

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know...anything popped out of a muffin tin tends to be cute. Easy to eat for kids and just tasty. Have a great week, Kelly.

      Delete
  8. I tried making something similar with a friend of mine last summer but it didnt look anything as gorgeous as these. I lvoe how they turned out and its an incredibly cute idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally get it. It's the kind of thing that looks cute and easy but is it really easy? This one is really easy. No leaking, breaking, burning. I was afraid of things like that with hash brown cups but these were easy.

      Delete
  9. Replies
    1. I could eat eggs and toast all the time. Thanks, Kiran.

      Delete
  10. haha oh the mini cadbury eggs - I can't buy them! I have absolutely no self control!

    These little cups are so cute! And they sound delicious - I love having eggs for breakfast.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ashley, I buy those little mini bags of Cadbury eggs...and I keep buying them and buying more of them! haha. They are so darn good though so it's worth it! : )
      Eggs are so amazing. I can't say enough how much I love them! I'm kinda crazy.

      Delete
  11. This is such a creative idea for eggs! My husband will love these bad boys!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A fun little spin on basic egg and toast, right! Thanks, Ashley. Have a great Easter.

      Delete
  12. I make a version of these with bacon. They're so easy as you've shown and they always disappear quickly too which is nice. Have a great Easter coming up Monica! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I took the easy way and just served the bacon on the side. : ) You have a wonderful Easter as well, Lorraine. Thank you.

      Delete
  13. Very cute and yummy cups. A unique and creative idea. I wish I could grab one. Love it :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fun and tasty is a nice mix. Thanks, Ritu.

      Delete
  14. Egg and toast in one adorable package! What's not to love? Haha it's funny that your fellas think they taste like deep-dish pizza!

    ReplyDelete
  15. They are the cutest Monica. HOw adorable would they be for this weekend. The cutest and it will be a hit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The best part is it doesn't take too much effort. I love playing around at breakfast. : )

      Delete
  16. These are so cute and look delicious, perfect for a brunch get together!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And not too much work or mess involved, which is nice!

      Delete
  17. On Monica, these are so cute...very creative and great for breakfast/brunch...I love it!
    Have a great week :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it as much as I do, Juliana. : )

      Delete
  18. OH! They are so cute! Such a creative idea for a delicious breakfast! My boyfriend's going to love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They're fun and not too funky! Hope you make some to enjoy with your b/f!

      Delete
  19. I'll take my eggs in savory form as well, thank you very much! These toast cups are so cute!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love a good fried egg. Good thing I don't count eggs I use when baking. That's not part of my daily allowance of eggs. ; )

      Delete
  20. LOVE these, Monica! The toasted bread and runny egg yolks! I will try this next week for breakfast night! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm so glad! Really easy so do give it a try. Have a great Easter weekend!

      Delete
  21. I've seen some similar recipes before, but haven't had the chance to make it yet. Love your shot that shows egg inside! As an egg lover.... totally irresistible shot! Next week is spring break for us, so I can make this for breakfast (no time for school days...). :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know what you mean...I've wanted to make the ones with the hash browns but it seemed like it would be more work than you expect. This really was easy and turned out just like this on the first try. We just had spring break - hope you have a good one and enjoy a little more free time with the little ones.

      Delete
  22. Gorgeous little egg and toast cups! It’s a perfect color for an outing this weekend! Love it!! I have learn this item to cook while I was studying in the best hotel management college in Kolkata

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...