Today’s Recipe: Strawberry & Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

STRAWBERRY & CREAM CHEESE STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

PREP TIME: 30 MINUTES
COOK TIME: 40-45 MINUTES
MAKES: 4-6 SERVINGS

1½  cups sliced strawberries
6    T sugar, divided
1    T cornstarch
1    T cold water
1    loaf French bread, we used salted
8    ozs spreadable cream cheese, softened
4    eggs
½   cup milk
1    t vanilla
¼   t cinnamon
2    T butter, divided

1. In a small saucepan, combine strawberries and 3 T of sugar. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and water and pour into strawberry mixture. Continue to simmer until strawberries thicken; remove from heat and set aside.
2. In a small bowl, combine cream cheese and remaining sugar; set aside.
3. About 1” from the bottom of the French bread, make a lengthwise cut, stopping about ½” from the back of the loaf. Make another cut about 1” above the first, stopping again ½” from the back of the loaf.
4. Fill the pocket closest to the bottom of the loaf with cream cheese, and fill the second pocket with strawberries. Place loaf in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes to firm up the fillings.
5. In a shallow bowl (or pie plate), combine eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon.
6. Rest the bread on its back, and cut into slices that are about ½” thick, pressing the filling back into the pockets as needed.
7. Over low heat, preheat a skillet or griddle, melt enough butter in the pan to coat the bottom, and begin dipping slices of bread in the egg mixture. Cook each slice for 4-5 minutes on each side.