Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast (Printable)

Brioche sandwiches filled with creamy, tangy cheese and finished with warm strawberry syrup for indulgent bites.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cream Cheese Filling

01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
03 - 1 teaspoon pure 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 pure vanilla extract
09 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 - Pinch of kosher 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 Make It:

01 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
02 - Spread an even layer of the cream cheese filling on 4 slices of bread. Top each with a second slice to form 4 stuffed sandwiches, pressing gently to seal.
03 - In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and salt until fully incorporated.
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 reduces to a syrupy consistency. Lightly mash with a fork, 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, 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 additional butter between batches as needed.
07 - 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 restaurant brunch special you would happily pay extra for.
  • The strawberry drizzle uses fresh fruit and comes together in minutes with no fancy techniques required.
02 -
  • If the bread is too fresh it will fall apart during dipping so toast it lightly or use day old bread for a sturdier structure.
  • Do not rush the skillet temperature because medium heat gives you a golden crust without burning the outside while leaving the inside cold and wet.
03 -
  • Use a generous hand with the butter in the pan because that is where most of the golden color and crispy edges come from, and you can always blot excess with a paper towel afterward.
  • Let the cream cheese filling chill for ten minutes after mixing if your kitchen is warm, because a firmer filling is easier to spread without ripping the bread.

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