Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast (Printable)
Brioche stuffed with tangy cream cheese, pan-seared to golden and drizzled with warm strawberry syrup.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cream Cheese Filling
01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon 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 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 - Pinch of salt
11 - Butter, for pan-frying
→ Strawberry Drizzle
12 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
13 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
14 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
# How-To Steps:
01 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Stir until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
02 - Spread an even layer of the cream cheese filling onto 4 slices of bread. Top each with a second slice to form 4 filled sandwiches. Press gently to adhere.
03 - In a shallow bowl or dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
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 break down and the mixture forms a syrupy sauce. Mash lightly with a fork to reach the desired consistency. 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 custard mixture, turning to coat both sides thoroughly. Allow any excess to drip off before transferring to the skillet.
07 - Place the custard-dipped sandwiches in the hot skillet and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Add additional butter between batches as needed.
08 - Slice 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 feels like a bakery special, and it takes barely any extra effort.
- That strawberry drizzle comes together in one saucepan while the toast cooks, so everything lands on the plate warm and ready at the same time.
02 -
- Do not let the sandwiches soak in the custard or they will disintegrate, a quick two second dip on each side is all you need.
- If your bread is very fresh, toast it lightly first or it will turn to mush the moment it hits the egg mixture.
03 -
- Cook the first side slightly longer than you think it needs, that deep caramelization is where all the flavor lives.
- A thin layer of cream cheese spreads more evenly than a thick one, and it melts into the bread beautifully as it cooks.