Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast (Printable)

Golden brioche filled with creamy, tangy cheese, pan-fried and topped with warm strawberry drizzle for brunch.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cream Cheese Filling

01 - 4 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
02 - 2 tbsp powdered sugar
03 - 1 tsp vanilla extract

→ French Toast

04 - 8 slices brioche or thick-cut white bread
05 - 3 large eggs
06 - ⅔ cup whole milk
07 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
08 - 1 tsp vanilla extract
09 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
10 - Pinch of salt
11 - Butter, for pan-frying

→ Strawberry Drizzle

12 - 1½ cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
13 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar
14 - 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice

# How to Prepare:

01 - In a small mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until smooth, creamy, and free of lumps.
02 - Divide the cream cheese filling evenly across 4 slices of bread, spreading it to the edges. Top each with a second slice of bread to form 4 stuffed sandwiches.
03 - In a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, granulated sugar, and salt until fully combined.
04 - In a small saucepan, combine the sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, and lemon juice. Cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries break down and the mixture thickens into a syrupy sauce. Lightly mash with a fork, remove from heat, and set aside.
05 - Place a large skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a generous pat of butter, allowing it to melt and coat the surface.
06 - Submerge each stuffed sandwich in the custard mixture, coating both sides thoroughly and allowing the bread to absorb the egg mixture without becoming soggy.
07 - Transfer the dipped sandwiches to the hot skillet. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Add additional butter between batches as needed.
08 - Slice each stuffed French toast in half on the diagonal, arrange on plates, and spoon the warm strawberry drizzle generously over the top. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The warm cream cheese center oozes out like a little secret surprise with every forkful
  • That strawberry drizzle transforms an ordinary Sunday morning into something that feels like a restaurant treat
  • It comes together faster than you think, leaving you more time to linger over coffee
02 -
  • The bread needs to be sturdy enough to hold the filling without falling apart during soaking
  • Day-old bread actually works better here because it absorbs the custard without turning mushy
  • Do not rush the strawberry sauce—it needs those full minutes to develop proper thickness
03 -
  • Keep the heat at medium or the outside will burn before the filling warms through
  • Let the assembled stuffed bread rest for 5 minutes before dipping to help it stay together

Go Back