Stuffed French Toast Recipe

Bread: Thick slices are ideal for holding the filling and maintaining structure during cooking.

Cream cheese: Softened to easily spread on the bread, adding a creamy texture.

Strawberries: Fresh and sliced, providing a sweet and tangy contrast to the cream cheese.

Eggs: Whisked with milk to create the custard-like coating for the bread.

Milk: Combined with eggs to soak the bread, making it rich and moist.

Vanilla extract: Adds a fragrant sweetness to the egg mixture.

Butter: Used for cooking the sandwiches to a golden brown perfection.

To ensure your stuffed French toast is perfectly cooked and not soggy, make sure to use thick slices of bread. This helps the bread hold up better when dipped in the egg mixture and prevents it from falling apart. Additionally, when spreading the cream cheese, make sure it is softened to achieve an even layer, which will help the strawberries adhere better and create a more cohesive filling. Finally, cook the sandwiches over medium heat to allow the bread to become golden brown and crispy without burning, ensuring a delightful texture contrast with the creamy filling.

• thick slices bread - Substitute with brioche: Brioche is rich and buttery, making it an excellent alternative for a more decadent French toast.

• thick slices bread - Substitute with challah: Challah is slightly sweet and has a tender crumb, perfect for absorbing the egg mixture.

• softened cream cheese - Substitute with mascarpone: Mascarpone is creamy and slightly sweet, providing a similar texture and flavor profile.

• softened cream cheese - Substitute with ricotta: Ricotta is lighter and adds a slightly different texture but still works well as a filling.

• sliced strawberries - Substitute with blueberries: Blueberries offer a burst of flavor and maintain their shape well during cooking.

• sliced strawberries - Substitute with bananas: Bananas add a creamy texture and natural sweetness, complementing the other ingredients.

• eggs - Substitute with flax eggs: Flax eggs (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed + 3 tablespoon water per egg) are a good vegan alternative that helps bind the ingredients.

• eggs - Substitute with chia eggs: Chia eggs (1 tablespoon chia seeds + 3 tablespoon water per egg) are another vegan option that provides a similar binding effect.

• milk - Substitute with almond milk: Almond milk is a dairy-free alternative that works well in the egg mixture.

• milk - Substitute with coconut milk: Coconut milk adds a subtle tropical flavor and is a good dairy-free option.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with almond extract: Almond extract provides a different but complementary flavor to the dish.

• vanilla extract - Substitute with maple extract: Maple extract adds a rich, sweet flavor that pairs well with French toast.

• butter - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative that adds a slight coconut flavor and works well for cooking.

• butter - Substitute with ghee: Ghee has a higher smoke point and a rich, nutty flavor, making it a good alternative for cooking.

• Allow the stuffed French toast to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation from making the bread soggy.
• Wrap each sandwich individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil to maintain freshness and prevent freezer burn.
• Place the wrapped sandwiches in an airtight container or a resealable plastic bag. Label with the date to keep track of storage time.
• Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, place in the freezer where they can last up to 2 months.
• To reheat from the refrigerator, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed French toast on a baking sheet and heat for about 10 minutes or until warmed through.
• For reheating from frozen, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen sandwiches on a baking sheet and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 20-25 minutes, removing the foil halfway through to allow the bread to crisp up.
• Alternatively, you can reheat in a toaster oven or on a skillet over medium heat. If using a skillet, cover with a lid to ensure the center heats evenly.
• Avoid microwaving as it can make the bread rubbery and unevenly heated.
• Serve immediately after reheating with your favorite toppings like maple syrup, powdered sugar, or additional sliced strawberries.

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed French toast on a baking sheet and cover it with aluminum foil. Bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through. This method helps maintain the crispiness of the bread while ensuring the cream cheese filling is warm.

• For a quicker option, use a toaster oven. Set it to 350°F (175°C) and place the French toast directly on the rack or on a baking sheet. Heat for 5-7 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure it doesn't burn.

• If you're in a hurry, the microwave can be your friend. Place the French toast on a microwave-safe plate and cover it with a damp paper towel to prevent it from drying out. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking every 30 seconds to avoid overheating.

• For a stovetop method, heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter. Place the French toast in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until warmed through and slightly crispy.

• If you have an air fryer, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Place the French toast in the basket in a single layer and heat for 3-5 minutes. This method will help retain the crispiness of the bread while warming the cream cheese filling.

• Skillet: A flat-bottomed pan used for cooking the sandwiches until they are golden brown on both sides.

• Mixing bowl: A bowl used to whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract.

• Whisk: A utensil used to blend the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract into a smooth mixture.

• Spatula: A tool used to flip the sandwiches in the skillet to ensure even cooking on both sides.

• Knife: A sharp tool used to slice the strawberries.

• Cutting board: A surface used to safely slice the strawberries.

• Measuring cup: A tool used to measure the milk accurately.

• Measuring spoons: Tools used to measure the vanilla extract and butter accurately.

• Plate: A dish used to serve the finished stuffed French toast.

• Butter knife: A utensil used to spread the cream cheese on the bread slices.

Prepare the filling: Soften the cream cheese and slice the strawberries the night before to save time in the morning.

Pre-mix the batter: Whisk together the eggs, milk, and vanilla extract ahead of time and store in the fridge.

Use a griddle: Cook multiple sandwiches at once on a large griddle instead of a skillet to speed up the process.

Preheat the skillet: Ensure the butter is melted and the skillet is hot before you start cooking to reduce cooking time.