Shirred Eggs

Preheating the baking dish ensures the eggs begin cooking immediately upon contact, setting the whites quickly while keeping yolks runny. The butter creates a non-stick surface and adds richness, while its fat conducts heat evenly across the dish bottom. Adding cream increases the fat content around the eggs, which slows heat transfer and results in creamier, more luxurious whites that won't become rubbery. The gentle oven heat cooks eggs uniformly from all sides, unlike stovetop methods that apply direct heat from below.