French toast is a brunch staple, but why not throw something different into the Mother's Day menu this year with a stuffed version? The buttery crust is crisp on the outside while the inside stays soft with a fruity cream cheese spread in the middle. Add some butter, maple syrup and powdered sugar and you've got a recipe that just may turn into a yearly tradition.
Not to mention a high-quality sugar coma.
However, you've earned it. You've successfully completed a year's worth of carpools, packed lunches, sports practices, up-eight-times-in-the-middle-of-the-night, award-winning parenting. It's time to have your cake (or stuffed french toast) and eat it, too.
Enjoy, Moms. It's your day!
Mixed Berry Stuffed French Toast
Ingredients
- 1 loaf of crusty bread (1-2 days old is best)
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 tablespoons jam
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup skim milk + 1-2 tablespoons
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon
- 2-3 tablespoons butter
- Powdered sugar, maple syrup and butter for serving
Recipe
Cut the bread into thick slices, about 2-3 inches each. Depending on the size of your loaf, you should yield about 4 large slices, not counting the ends.
Cut pockets into the middle of each slice by cutting into the top and slicing down without going all the way through the crust. Try to avoid cutting into the outside walls of crust; you want the cream cheese mixture to stay inside the slice of bread.
Next, prepare the cream cheese mixture. Combine 4 oz of cream cheese with about 3 tablespoons of jam (I used a mixed berry jam) and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. You can do this by hand with a spatula, but you'll achieve a smoother consistency by using a food processor or a small blender and adding 1-2 tablespoons of milk. Stuff each slice of bread with about 1-2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture and place the slices into a baking dish.
In a small bowl, whisk together 2 eggs, 1/2 cup milk and 1 tablespoon cinnamon. Pour over the stuffed bread, being sure each slice is well-coated.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of butter to a skillet over medium heat and fry the slices for about 4-6 minutes on each side. Serve immediately with butter, maple syrup and a light dusting of powdered sugar.
