Stuffed French Toast
This stuffed French toast is such a wonderful brunch recipe! Made with rich brioche bread filled with cream cheese and strawberries, and topped with fresh fruit and maple syrup.
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 606kcal
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 large loaf brioche bread unsliced, see notes below
- Unsalted butter for the griddle
- Fresh berries for toppings
- Maple syrup for drizzling
For the cream cheese filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup heavy cream plus more as needed
- ¼ cup honey plus more to taste
- 1 cup small-diced fresh strawberries
For the custard:
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon honey or granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
Instructions
- Make the cream cheese filling: Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese with the ¼ cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of honey on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. Then, fold in the strawberries with a spoon or rubber spatula. Set aside. Note: If too thick, add more cream. If desired, add more honey to taste.
- Make the custard: In a baking pan, whisk the eggs, milk, heavy cream, honey (or sugar), cinnamon, vanilla, and salt until very well combined. Set aside.
- Using a serrated knife, cut the brioche into 1.5 inch slices (about 6 slices total). Then, carefully cut pockets on the top edge of each slice without cutting all the way through.
- Fill each pocket with the strawberry cream cheese filling, being careful not to overstuff to prevent tearing.
- Soak the stuffed bread in the custard mixture for about 3 to 5 minutes per side, until the custard is absorbed. If needed, divide it up into two pans to fit all the slices.
- Heat some butter in a flat griddle over medium heat. Cook each slice for about 5 minutes per side, or until the center is warm and the outside is golden brown. Tip: Use medium heat here. If the griddle is too hot, the exterior will brown too fast before the center is warm.
- Serve immediately with fresh berries, maple syrup, and any other toppings you like. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you can only find pre-sliced brioche: Use less filling, leaving a ¾ inch border. Also, because the slices may be thinner, reduce the soaking time.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Reheat in the microwave oven for just a few seconds, or in the oven at 350F for 10 minutes.
- Freezing: Unfortunately, french toast doesn’t freeze very well. It will get very soggy when thawed.
- Strawberries (in the filling): Use any berries, preferably fresh.
- Brioche bread: Challah, Japanese milk bread.
Nutrition
Serving: 1slice | Calories: 606kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 283mg | Sodium: 541mg | Potassium: 227mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 1658IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 161mg | Iron: 1mg