- 2 pounds Brussels sprouts, stem ends trimmed and cut in half through the stem end
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- Salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup coarse fresh bread crumbs, from about 3 slices white sandwich bread, crusts removed
- ¼ cup finely grated Gruyère
- 1¼ cups heavy cream, at room temperature
- Heat the oven to 425°F. Put the Brussels sprouts in a 9×13-inch ceramic or metal baking dish, and toss with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Spread the sprouts evenly in the dish and roast, tossing once halfway through, until tender and browned in spots, 25-30 minutes.
- While the sprouts roast, place the bread crumbs in a medium bowl. Pour the remaining tablespoon of melted butter over the crumbs and sprinkle with ⅛ teaspoon salt. Mix in the Gruyère. Set aside.
- When the sprouts are tender and browned, pour the cream evenly over the sprouts and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. Continue baking until the cream has thickened to a saucy consistency, about 10 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven. Set the oven to broil and position a rack to 6 inches below the broiler. Sprinkle on the bread crumb mixture. Broil the gratin until the crust is golden brown, 3-5 minutes (keep a close eye on it so it doesn’t burn).
