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If you want to turn your morning meal into an amazing treat, this strawberry cheesecake stuffed French toast is the way to go. You get the yummy comfort of French toast packed with a creamy, sweet strawberry filling. It tastes like dessert but totally works for breakfast any day.
The very first time I made this for my daughter’s birthday breakfast, it instantly became the meal we celebrate all our special mornings with. Cutting into the bread and finding that creamy strawberry surprise inside always puts a big smile on everyone’s face.
Luscious Ingredients
- Butter: Use for cooking, gives a rich brown crust plus a nutty kick
- Cinnamon: Toss it in for a warm spice that pairs perfectly with the berries
- Milk: Helps thin out the egg mixture for maximum bread soaking
- Eggs: They make the bread custardy inside
- Vanilla extract: Adds flavor to both the filling and the soaking batter
- Icing sugar: Blends right into the cream cheese for the ideal sweetness
- Fresh strawberries: Look for deep red ones with no white tips for best flavor
- Cream cheese: Needs to be soft so your filling turns out silky smooth
- Brioche or French bread: Thick slices are sturdy enough to hold all that filling
Simple Step-by-Step
- Turn sandwiches into magic:
- Grab four bread slices, smear the strawberry cheese mixture in the middle but leave the edges open (about a half inch). You want a border to help seal them up when you press on the other slice. Top each with another slice of bread and press gently so nothing oozes out.
- Mix your sweet batter:
- In a shallow dish, whisk up the eggs, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. You want the liquid to be a pale yellow with even flecks of cinnamon throughout.
- Put together your cheesecake filling:
- Combine your softened cream cheese, icing sugar, and vanilla until it’s totally smooth—no lumps. Carefully stir in the strawberry dice so they’re spread out but not squished.
- Cook for that golden crunch:
- Heat butter in your skillet over medium heat so it’s just bubbly. Dunk your sandwiches into the egg mixture, let the extra drip, then cook each side in the pan for about 2-3 minutes until both sides look golden brown and the inside is warm.
- Prep the strawberries:
- Rinse strawberries well and dry them off completely. Slice off the green tops and chop into tiny bits, roughly quarter-inch pieces so you get fruit in every bite.
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What honestly takes this over the top is the cream cheese filling. I learned the hard way that letting your cream cheese warm up on the counter for half an hour seriously makes it way smoother compared to when I tried to rush it. Don’t skip this part, it’s worth it.
Smart Make-Ahead Moves
Want to save time? You can easily prep these stuffed sandwiches the night before. Wrap each one up tight in plastic and stash in the fridge. Whisk the egg batter ahead of time and keep it cold too. In the morning, dunk and cook. That’s it.
You can also freeze the sandwiches after they’re assembled (before cooking). Just lay ‘em out on a tray, freeze, then move to a freezer bag. When you’re ready, let them sit overnight in the fridge, then finish by dipping in the egg and frying in the morning.
Tasty Serving Ideas
This French toast stands on its own, but try rounding it out. Go for some smoky sausage or crispy bacon to balance the sweetness. Extra berries or a little fruit salad on the side brightens things up, too.
If you want your breakfast to look awesome, pour a little maple syrup over top, add a spoon of whipped cream, and toss on some fresh strawberry slices. Feeling festive? Sprinkle a little powdered sugar on right before you dig in.
Fun Flavor Twists
The cool thing here is you aren’t stuck with just strawberries. Blueberries give you a purple stripe in the filling, or toss in a berry mix for more flavor. Want something cozy? Use thinly sliced apples or pears tossed with cinnamon in the fall.
If you crave chocolate, throw in some mini chocolate chips with the strawberry cheese mixture. You’ll get melty chocolate bites all through the toast.
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Recipe FAQs
- → How do I keep the filling inside the toast?
To prevent spills, spread the filling mostly in the middle of the bread, leaving space around the edges. Press the edges tight to seal before dipping in the batter.
- → Can I use any kind of bread for this?
Certainly! Brioche and French bread are ideal, but challah or plain sandwich bread can work for softer results. Steer clear of crumbly or very thin bread.
- → Is this something I can prep ahead?
Totally! You can prep the filling and put together the sandwiches hours in advance. Keep them in the fridge until it's time to dip and cook.
- → How do I save leftovers the right way?
Pop leftover French toast into an airtight container and refrigerate for two days max. A skillet works best to revive the crispy exterior; microwaving is okay for speed.
- → Can frozen strawberries replace fresh ones?
Absolutely! Just thaw them and get rid of the extra juice so they don't make the filling watery.
- → What toppings go well with this dish?
Try whipped cream, fresh berries, syrup, or powdered sugar. You can even add chopped nuts or drizzle melted chocolate to dress it up more!