Coming at you with a delicious breakfast idea from the Live Eat Learn archives – Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast! I’ve been making some form of this stuffed french toast for years, and figured it was time to reshoot it and bump it to the top of the blog for your eating pleasure. This recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and creamy flavors, wrapped in thick slices of brioche bread. With a luscious strawberry-cream cheese filling, each bite is a burst of deliciousness. Easy to make and sure to impress, this French toast is a delightful way to start your day. Let’s cook!
Here’s What You’ll Need
This recipe has just a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and is customizable to whatever you might have on hand!
Brioche: We use brioche bread for its soft and slightly sweet flavor, which adds a rich and indulgent taste to the French toast. Strawberries: The fresh strawberries bring a vibrant and juicy element to the filling, complementing the creaminess of the cheesecake mixture. Feel free to use any berry here! Cream Cheese: Cream cheese creates a luscious and smooth texture for the filling. Be sure to let is come to room temperature first, which helps it blend into a dreamy cheesecake filling (without the need for electric beaters). Powdered Sugar: The powdered sugar adds a touch of sweetness and helps to balance the tartness of the strawberries. Eggs: Eggs serve as a binding agent in the egg mixture, giving the French toast a light and fluffy texture when cooked. Milk: Milk adds moisture and richness to the egg mixture, enhancing the overall creaminess of the French toast. Vanilla Extract: The vanilla extract infuses a warm and aromatic flavor into the egg mixture, adding depth to the overall taste. Cinnamon: Cinnamon provides a subtle hint of warmth and spice, complementing the sweetness of the French toast.
How To Make Stuffed French Toast
Making this stuffed French toast is pretty easy once you have all your components stirred together! Challah: Challah bread is similar to challah in its rich and buttery texture, making it an excellent alternative for French toast. Texas Toast: Texas toast is a thick-sliced bread that works well for French toast. Its sturdy structure allows it to absorb the egg mixture without becoming too soggy. French Baguette: A fresh or slightly stale French baguette can be sliced into thick pieces and used for French toast. It offers a crispy exterior and a soft interior. Step 1: Cheesecake Filling In this step, we prepare a luscious strawberry cream cheese filling for our French toast. Be sure to use room temperature cream cheese to ensure easy mixing and a smooth consistency. You can customize the filling by adding a touch of lemon zest or a sprinkle of cinnamon for an extra layer of deliciousness. Step 2: Egg MixtureThe egg mixture is a crucial component of French toast, providing richness and helping to create that golden and crispy exterior. Make sure to fully whisk the ingredients together to ensure an even distribution of flavors. Step 3: Slice To create the perfect French toast, we start by slicing the brioche loaf into thick slices, approximately 1½ inches thick. The thickness of the slices allows for easier stuffing! Cutting a slit on one side of each slice creates a pocket for the filling to be stuffed inside, ensuring a delectable surprise with every bite. (Be careful when cutting the pockets that you don’t cut too close to your hand!) Step 4: Stuff Gently spoon the strawberry cream cheese filling into the pockets of the bread slices. Take care not to poke a hole in the bread while stuffing! Step 5: Soak Working in batches, transfer each stuffed slice to the egg mixture, allowing the bread to soak up the flavors and moisture. Be sure to flip the slices to ensure even soaking on both sides. Step 6: Cook Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and cook each slice until lightly browned on both sides. The cooking process allows the egg mixture to set and creates a crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and creamy. Adjust the cooking time as needed to achieve your desired level of golden brownness. Step 7: Serve Once cooked, serve the Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast warm, topping it with maple syrup, whipped cream, honey, or fresh fruit. This indulgent breakfast treat is sure to delight your taste buds and make your mornings extra special.
Can I use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries for the filling. Thaw them beforehand and chop them into small pieces before mixing with the cream cheese and powdered sugar.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
While it’s best to enjoy the French toast immediately after cooking, you can prepare the filling and egg mixture in advance. In the morning, stuff the bread and dip it in the egg mixture, then cook as directed.
Can I freeze the leftover French toast?
It’s not recommended to freeze the cooked French toast as it may become soggy when thawed. It’s best to enjoy it fresh, but you can refrigerate any leftovers and reheat them in an air fryer or skillet for a quick breakfast the next day!
Can I use a different fruit for the filling?
Absolutely! While the recipe calls for strawberries, you can experiment with other fruits such as blueberries, raspberries, or diced peaches. Choose your favorite fruit or create delicious combinations to suit your taste.
An Epic Breakfast Menu
Include this stuffed French toast in an epic breakfast or brunch. Here’s the game plan:
Savory Option: Sheet Pan Eggs or Carrot Lox Coffee Option: Coffee Smoothie or Classic Cold Brew Smoothie Option: Mango Smoothie or Kale Smoothie
