Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast (Print version)

Brioche filled with cream cheese, pan-fried to golden, and topped with a warm strawberry drizzle for an indulgent 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
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

# Method:

01 - In a small 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 on 4 slices of bread. Top each with a second slice to form 4 filled sandwiches.
03 - In a shallow bowl or 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 strawberries release their juices and the mixture thickens into a syrupy sauce. Lightly mash with a fork to your desired consistency, then remove from heat and set aside.
05 - Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a generous pat of butter, allowing it to melt and coat the surface evenly.
06 - Dip each assembled sandwich into the egg custard, coating both sides thoroughly. Place in the heated skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Add more butter between batches as needed.
07 - Slice each stuffed French toast sandwich 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 feels like a restaurant brunch dish you would pay twenty dollars for.
  • Fresh strawberries simmered into a quick drizzle taste infinitely better than anything from a bottle and take almost no effort.
02 -
  • Day old bread absorbs the custard without falling apart, fresh bread turns to mush within seconds.
  • Do not let the sandwiches soak in the egg mixture, a quick dip on each side is all you need.
03 -
  • If the cream cheese is cold and stiff, microwave it for fifteen seconds rather than trying to spread it and ripping the bread.
  • Swapping mixed berries or raspberries for the strawberries gives you a completely different sauce with zero extra effort.

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