Matzo brei is merely pieces of matzo combined into a scrambled egg mixture. Though it is often made during Passover, this easy matzo brei recipe is made as a casserole and can be made all year round. Made like many of my egg casseroles, assemble and place in the fridge overnight and bake the next morning. And please don't forget the caramel apple topping!
Traditionally matzo brei is made in a skillet with matzos that have been soaked in water or milk and then tossed with beaten eggs and seasonings and fried in a skillet.
Matzo brei can be made savory with lots of sauteed onions and pepper or it can be sweet and tossed with cinnamon and sugar and doused with syrup or jam.
It isn't a Passover unless one argues on what kind of matzo brei to make. Sweet or savory matzo brei? Crispy or soft?
That's a lot of decisions to make in the early morning so finding this matzo brei recipe was a win for me.
Table of contents
Why I Love This Overnight Matzo Brei Casserole
Like I mentioned matzo brei lovers are fickle. Trust me on this.
Everyone has their preference.
Since not many have encountered this recipe no one has complaints.
Truly everyone loves it.
Yes, overnight sweet Matzo Brei is my new best friend.
Kind of like a bread pudding or baked French toast, except she's made with matzo.
And the best part is I make this caramel apple matzo brei the night before I want to serve her!
About Matzo Brei
As I mentioned this sweet or savory dish with its crispy or soft exterior is Jewish comfort food. Made with soaked matzo and tossed with beaten eggs and then fried in butter or oil I often compare it to Mexican migas!
Brei rhymes with fry! And it is the Yiddish word for fry. And it's fried in butter or oil. Now you will never forget!
Matzo Brei is a dish of Eastern European origin. It is thought to be a way to use leftover matzos and became quite popular in its own right.
How To Make Matzo Brei
So many questions...
Basically it is scrambled eggs with matzos that have been softened in water or milk.
Break up the softened matzo, mix it with beaten eggs, and fry in butter, oil or schmaltz.
That's it in a nutshell, however there are so many variations.
I've soaked my matzo in milk or water, sweetened the eggs with sugar.
I've sauteed some onions, thrown in lox or mushrooms or even green chiles, and that just gives you an idea about how many ways you can go with this.
A very uncomplicated dish, it is not unlike Mexican migas, which is primarily crispy tortilla chips with scrambled eggs.
Zhuzh Up Your Overnight Matzo Brei
It isn't Passover unless one makes matzo brei. In my case I make overnight matzo brei!
Don't like apples? Use pears.
No need for a fruit topping. Just top with cheese OR...
Leave off the topping, cover with foil and then remove once baked and top with jam. Or maple syrup. Or cinnamon syrup. Or honey. Or just some fresh fruit. And cinnamon sugar.
Want it savory?
Add a mushroom onion topping.
However be sure to leave out the vanilla and sugar.
Matzo brei in all its forms is comfort food that is great all year long.
To be sure it is the perfect way to dispose of all the matzo that doesn't get eaten...so on the last day of Passover it is great to have a brunch and use up the remaining matzo for this matzo brei recipe.
But shoot...the stuff keeps like FOREVER!
Overnight Sweet Matzo Brei
This year I decided to try an overnight sweet matzo brei recipe and this...this I could become very good friends with.
Not unlike an overnight egg casserole, this untraditional casserole contains matzo.
It is not unlike a bread pudding except there is matzo in place of bread.
Perhaps it is the sauteed apples with maple syrup that I love, or the fact that it's made ahead and saturated in eggs, vanilla and cream overnight.
Perhaps it is the sweet cinnamon smell that emanates from the oven while it's baking.
Perhaps it's the extra syrup I pour over or the brown sugar sweetened sour cream, that is a great addition.
Whatever the case, this overnight sweet matzo brei is one I can now swoon over each year.
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Recipe
Overnight Matzoh Brei with Caramel Apples
- Prep Time: 25 Minutes
- Cook Time: 25 Minutes
- Total Time: 50 Minutes
- Yield: 6 Servings 1x
- Category: Mains/Brunch
- Method: Stovetop/Baking
- Cuisine: Jewish
Description
This caramel and cinnamon apple matzoh brei is perfect for dessert or brunch! It might even be called a Passover bread pudding. Whatever you call it...I just call it good!
Ingredients
Caramel Apples
- 4 Large apples, about 2 lbs, combo sweet and tart
- 3 T butter
- ⅓ c maple syrup
- ½ t cinnamon
- ⅓ c Half and Half or cream or evaporated milk
- 2 t fresh lemon juice
- ¼ t salt
Matzoh Brei
- Butter for greasing pan plus 2 T melted butter
- 4 plain or egg matzoh
- ½ c evaporated milk, half and half or cream
- 4 large eggs
- ¾ t vanilla or Kosher for Passover vanilla
- ⅛ t salt
- 1 t brown or white sugar
Instructions
Caramel Apples
- Peel, core and cut each apple into slices or small chunks. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium high heat. Add the apples and cook, flipping as necessary, for abut 3 minutes. Add the syrup and cinnamon and cook until the apples are just tender, about 6 minutes, depending on the variety and size of the slices/chunks. using a slotted spoon, transfer the apples to a bowl and set aside.
- Boil the syrup remaining in the skillet. (In my case I didn't have much so I added 2 T more to the pan. It also depends on the variety of apple you use and how much juice it makes.) Boil until it become a thick caramel but don't let this burn. Stir a lot! Off the heat add the milk or cream, lemon juice , salt and whisk well. Return skillet to heat and simmer the sauce until smooth and somewhat thickened. Return the apples to the skillet and stir until they are well coated. Set aside to cool.
Matzoh Brei
- Generously butter the bottom and sides of a large shallow baking pan, 13 x 9 or I used an 11x 8 which made this a bit thicker.
- Break the matzohs into small pieces and spread them evenly in the buttered pan.
- In a large mixing bowl or a 4 cup measure, whisk together milk or half and half, eggs, vanilla, salt and sugar. Beat in the cooled melted butter. Pour this mixture over the matzoh and let this soak for about 15 minutes. I covered this with plastic wrap and pressed the matzoh well into the milk. (Matzoh have a tendency to float until they are saturated.)
- Now smooth out the matzoh and spread the apples and sauce over the top as best you can. Cover the pan with wrap and refrigerate overnight.
- Remove pan from fridge and bring the dish to room temperature. Preheat the oven to 425. Bake uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, until cooked and the top is light golden brown. To finish the matzoh brie, Place under a hot broiler and briefly brown the apple topping, rotating as necessary until everything is evenly golden.
More Matzo Recipes
Matzo Grilled Cheese with Basil
Corrie Duffy says
I didn't know that making such a delicious recipe with caramelized apples can be this easy. This is a unique idea of using matzoh. I will surely be giving it a try. But, I am planning to add loads of pecans and raisins in this recipe.
Abbe Odenwalder says
Sounds like a great plan!
Gloria says
Looks delicious ! I love all with apples !!
Balvinder Ubi says
Your overnight matzoh breakfast bake looks and sounds delicious.
Gerlinde de Broekert says
I’v never heard of matzo brei but it looks delicious, home cooking at its best.
Gloria Baker says
This looks really delicious Abbe!
mjskit says
I'm sold! I think I might have eaten matzoh once or twice. To be honest, I had to look it up. 🙂 What a genius dish and a great thing to wake up to. We usually have very slow mornings so this is perfect. I can just remove it from the fridge while making my tea, then put it in the oven during the second cup. Thanks for such a great recipe!
Marcelle says
I've never tried this dish (or heard of it!), but it looks wonderful, Abbe!! Love all those delicious-lookin layers and the gorgeous apples on top 🙂
mimi rippee says
This is brilliant! I’ve never heard of this dish, and I never knew one could use matzoh in sweet dishes as well. Fabulous!
Tricia Buice says
This looks fabulous Abbe - love those caramel apples! This is a new to me dessert too, and it sounds wonderful. Have a great weekend!
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
You're so funny 🙂 I think this sounds like the perfect matzo brei recipe to make. Do ahead and sweet flavors are all good in my book!
Deb|EastofEdenCooking.com says
Those caramel apples are divine! What a fabulous matzoh dessert.
Chris Scheuer says
This sounds wonderul. What a great idea to make it with matzoh!
Kitchen Riffs says
I've never had this, but it sounds really good. And any make-ahead dish is A-OK in my book! Thanks.
Liz Berg says
I've heard of matzoh brei, but never knew exactly what it was or tasted like. From your description, I know I'd love it---especially your apple version!
Angie Schneider says
This is new to me (looks very much like bread pudding?), but anything with caramelized apples must have tasted amazing!
HWC Magazine says
What a fun idea. Never tried this before. Loving the sliced photo as you can see all the delicious nooks and crannies. Great idea for a make ahead recipe. Sharing, of course!