Eggs in a Hole

Discover a playful and satisfying breakfast delight with Eggs in a Hole. This recipe takes the classic combination of eggs and toast and transforms it into an oven-baked masterpiece. The result is a perfect fusion of textures and flavors, where a soft, runny egg nestles within a crisp circle of toasted bread. The secret to success lies in using the oven to simultaneously toast the bread and cook the eggs, eliminating the need for constant flipping and providing a fuss-free solution for making this beloved dish for a crowd.

MAKES 6

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 slices hearty white sandwich bread
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
• 6 large eggs
• Salt and pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. PREPARE BREAD: Adjust the oven racks to the lowest and highest positions. Place a rimmed baking sheet on the lowest rack and preheat the oven to 500 degrees.
2. BUTTER AND CUT: Evenly spread 1 side of each bread slice with 2½ tablespoons of softened butter. Use a 2½-inch biscuit cutter to cut out and remove a circle from the center of each buttered bread piece.
3. PREHEAT AND ARRANGE: Remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and add the remaining 2½ tablespoons of butter, tilting the sheet to evenly coat it. Place the buttered bread circles down the center of the sheet and the remaining bread slices on either side, buttered side up. Return the sheet to the lowest oven rack and bake until the bread is golden, around 3 to 5 minutes. Flip the bread and rotate the sheet halfway through baking.
4. ADD EGGS: Remove the sheet from the oven and place it inside a second rimmed baking sheet at room temperature. Crack 1 egg into each bread hole. Season the eggs with salt and pepper.
5. BAKE AND SERVE: Place the baking sheets on the highest oven rack and bake until the egg whites are barely set, approximately 4 to 6 minutes, rotating the sheet halfway through baking.
6. COOL AND ENJOY: Transfer the baking sheets to a wire rack and let the eggs sit until the whites are completely set, about 2 minutes. Serve and savor the delectable combination of flavors and textures.

VARIATION: Spicy Eggs in a Hole Enhance the recipe with a burst of heat and cheesy goodness. Mix 2 teaspoons of hot sauce with the butter before spreading it over the bread. Sprinkle ½ cup of shredded pepper Jack cheese over the eggs before baking for a spicy twist on this classic dish.

TIPS:

• Preheating the baking sheet with butter ensures the bread browns evenly and doesn’t stick.
• Cracking the eggs directly onto the hot baking sheet helps the eggs set quickly upon contact.
• For extra flavor and a kick of spice, try the variation with melted pepper Jack cheese and a hint of hot sauce.
• If you don’t have a biscuit cutter, a drinking glass can be used to cut out the center of the buttered bread.
• To achieve perfectly cooked eggs, bake until the whites are just set but the yolks remain runny.
• Allow the baked eggs to sit for a few minutes before serving to ensure the whites are fully set.