Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

Surprisingly easy - even though this french toast with cream cheese and strawberries looks like a show-stopper, it's actually really simple to make. You'll only need about an hour from start to finish, and you won't need any special tools or ingredients.

Semi-homemade - no need to make bread from scratch. This is a great use for stale, store-bought brioche or other enriched bread like challah. Have a stale loaf of bread in the pantry? Time to make this strawberry stuffed french toast recipe!

Flavor - strawberries and cream is a classic combination for a reason. The pairing of sweet strawberries and tangy cream cheese in this fruit filled french toast is reminiscent of strawberry cheesecake in breakfast form.

Customizable - you can make this french toast recipe with strawberries, but you can also swap out the components of the filling, the type of bread you use, or the toppings to really make it your own following the same steps.

If you're looking for more similar breakfast ideas, try this Baileys French Toast or Strawberry Almond Croissant Bostock!

• Bakery bread. Challah bread is the best option for the stuffed French toast, but a large Italian or French loaf can also be used. Day old or slightly stale bread is best!
• Cream cheese. Full-fat, Philadelphia brand cream cheese is best. The cream cheese should be at a soft, room temperature so the strawberry compote can easily incorporate into it.
• Strawberries. Fresh strawberries are best, but frozen strawberries can also be used for the compote. If folding extra strawberries into the cream cheese filling, fresh should be used.
• Milk. I prefer whole milk for a rich custard, but 2% or skim milk can be used, as well.
• Spices & flavors. Cinnamon and vanilla are used to flavor the custard to soak the bread.

See recipe card for full ingredients list and quantities.

• Use equal parts mascarpone in place of the cream cheese for a creamier, less tangy filling. Serve this for a special occasion with an espresso, and if you close your eyes, you can transport yourself to Italy!
• For a faster, fresher version of this strawberry french toast, don't cook the strawberries at all and only use fresh strawberries in the filling.
• Add even more flavor to the filling by using flavored cream cheese. I like to use strawberry, blueberry, or honey walnut cream cheese, but you can play around with your favorite flavors!
• Use blueberries or raspberries instead of the strawberries for another variation on this strawberry filled french toast.

One: Cook down the chopped strawberries with sugar, then cool.

Two: Mix together the softened cream cheese and cooled strawberry compote until smooth.

Three: Fold in fresh, chopped strawberries for extra texture and fresh flavor.

Four: Slice bakery bread into 2-inch thick slices using a serrated knife.

Hot tip! Take care not to cut the whole way through the sides or bottom of the bread.

Five: Slice a pocket into the bread without slicing through the sides or bottom. Gently open the pocket, careful not to tear it.

Six: Add about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese into the bread pocket, working it the whole way into the sides and bottom.

Seven: Squeeze slightly to close, and remove any cream cheese that squeezes out.

Eight: Whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and cinnamon in a large, shallow bowl.

Nine: Dip each side of the stuffed French toast into the custard until fully soaked.

Ten: Fry all sides (even the edges) of the French toast in butter over medium heat until golden brown all over. Serve warm with preferred toppings.

• Make sure you don't cut all the way through the bread. You want to cut partially through to make a little pocket for your homemade strawberry cream cheese.
• Slightly stale bread is best for absorbing the liquid. You can leave your bread out on the counter overnight to help get it stale, or if you already have a slightly old loaf in the pantry, it's the perfect time to make this brioche bread french toast!
• Use a shallow, wide bowl for dipping the stuffed french toast into the custard. This helps ensure all of the bread soaks up the liquid and you don't end up with dry spots.
• Since you'll be cooking the french toast in batches, add the fried pieces on a cookie sheet and keep them warm in the oven while you cook the rest.

You can really have fun with the toppings for your stuffed french toast! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Butter (I love to use salty butter for a slight contrast to the sweet)
• Maple syrup
• Powdered sugar
• Fresh berries
• Sliced bananas
• Nutella
• Berry sauce

The night before you plan to serve your strawberry cream cheese french toast, slice and stuff your brioche with the cream cheese filling, and then store, covered, in the fridge.

In the morning, place the refrigerated stuffed brioche on the counter for 30 minutes to bring to room temperature. Then dip the toasts in the custard and pan fry.

You can place the fried french toast on a cookie sheet and put it in the oven to finish heating and keep them warm, if needed.

This could be because there is not enough fat in the pan, it wasn't cooked long enough, or the heat was not high enough.

Challah, Italian, or French loaves are best for french toast. They're rich, fluffy, and absorb liquid best. Whole grain is not recommended.

When the french toast is nicely browned on each side, the french toast is ready.

While the French toast is best served fresh, store the cooked French toast pieces covered on a plate in the fridge for up to two days.

Re-crisp in a hot pan and add then add to a 300℉ oven for 5-10 minutes so the center re-warms.

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