Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast (Printer-Friendly)

Brioche slices stuffed with creamy, tangy filling and topped with a warm strawberry drizzle for a decadent brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cream Cheese Filling

01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
03 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ French Toast

04 - 8 slices brioche or thick-cut white bread, preferably day-old
05 - 3 large eggs
06 - ⅔ cup whole milk
07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
10 - Pinch of salt
11 - Butter, for frying

→ Strawberry Drizzle

12 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
13 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
14 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

# How to Make It:

01 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth and creamy with no lumps remaining.
02 - Spread an even layer of the cream cheese filling over 4 slices of bread. Top each with a second slice of bread to form 4 filled sandwiches. Press gently to seal.
03 - In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and salt until fully combined.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the berries release their juices and the mixture thickens into a syrupy sauce. Mash lightly with a fork for a rustic texture. Remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add a generous pat of butter and allow it to melt, coating the surface evenly.
06 - Submerge each assembled sandwich into the custard mixture, coating both sides thoroughly. Allow excess to drip off before transferring to the skillet.
07 - Place the custard-dipped sandwiches onto the hot skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until both sides are golden brown and the filling is warm throughout. Add more butter between batches as needed.
08 - Cut each stuffed French toast in half diagonally. Arrange on plates and spoon the warm strawberry drizzle generously over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The cream cheese filling turns ordinary French toast into something that tastes like a dessert you would happily pay restaurant prices for.
  • The strawberry drizzle comes together in minutes with just three ingredients and makes everything taste like summer.
02 -
  • Day old bread absorbs the custard without falling apart, so if your bread is very fresh, toast it lightly first or let it sit uncovered for a few hours.
  • Don't rush the strawberry drizzle on high heat, patience on medium gives you a thicker, more luscious sauce without scorching.
03 -
  • Use a firm hand when spreading the cream cheese but a gentle hand when dipping the sandwiches, sturdy spreading and delicate soaking are the keys to structural integrity.
  • Let the skillet get fully hot before adding the first sandwich, a properly preheated pan is the difference between golden and soggy.

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