Description
Strawberry Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast is a delightful breakfast treat featuring rich cream cheese mixed with a touch of sweetness, nestled between slices of bread and fresh strawberries. The stuffed sandwiches are dipped in a cinnamon-spiced egg mixture, coated with a crunchy breadcrumb topping, and fried to golden perfection, delivering a crispy exterior and creamy, fruity interior that’s perfect for a weekend brunch or special occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Filling
- 4 heaping tablespoons cream cheese (use low fat if desired)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey or powdered sugar)
- 8 strawberries, hulled and sliced
Batter & Coating
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup milk
- 4 tablespoons bread crumbs (divided)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (divided)
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon (divided)
French Toast
- 8 slices stale bread (challah, brioche, or thick whole wheat toast)
- 4 teaspoons oil or butter (divided)
- Additional strawberries and syrup (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prep the filling and coatings: In a bowl, combine the cream cheese with maple syrup (or your choice of sweetener) and set aside as the filling mixture. In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk to create the dipping batter. On a large plate, mix together half of the bread crumbs, sugar, and cinnamon for the initial coating.
- Assemble the stuffed French toast: Spread approximately one-quarter of the cream cheese mixture onto a slice of bread. Arrange two sliced strawberries on top, then cover with a second slice of bread to create a sandwich. Dip the sandwich into the egg mixture, ensuring it soaks well, then coat it with the breadcrumb, sugar, and cinnamon mixture on the plate.
- Cook the French toast: Heat one teaspoon of oil or butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Place the coated sandwich in the pan and fry until each side is golden brown and crunchy, which should take a few minutes per side. Gently press on the edges of the bread (avoiding the middle) to help it cook evenly without squashing the filling.
- Repeat and refresh coatings: Repeat the assembly and cooking process with the remaining bread slices. Halfway through, wipe the plate clean and mix the remaining bread crumbs with the leftover sugar and cinnamon to coat the rest of the French toast sandwiches.
- Serve: Serve the stuffed French toast warm with additional strawberries and syrup for extra sweetness and fresh flavor.
Notes
- Use stale bread as it absorbs the batter better without becoming soggy.
- Choose thick slices like challah or brioche for a richer flavor and sturdier sandwich.
- Adjust the sweetness of the filling according to your taste preferences.
- Use a non-stick pan and medium-high heat to get a crispy outside without burning.
- Press gently on the edges during frying to ensure even cooking without squeezing out the filling.
- This recipe can be made with low-fat cream cheese for a lighter option.
