Description
Decadent strawberry cheesecake French toast is the perfect indulgent breakfast or brunch treat! Creamy cheesecake filling is sandwiched between slices of bread, dipped in a rich egg mixture, and cooked to golden perfection. Top it with fresh strawberries and syrup for a dish that feels fancy but is easy to make.
Ingredients
Units
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For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
For the French Toast:
- 8 slices of thick bread (brioche or challah work best)
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter (for cooking)
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
Optional Toppings:
- Maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
- Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
- Prepare the Strawberry Topping:
- In a small bowl, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Stir and let sit for 10 minutes to macerate while preparing the French toast.
- Assemble the French Toast:
- Spread a generous layer of cheesecake filling onto 4 slices of bread.
- Top with the remaining 4 slices to make sandwiches.
- Prepare the Egg Mixture:
- In a shallow bowl or pie dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and sugar.
- Cook the French Toast:
- Heat 1 tbsp of butter in a large skillet or griddle over medium heat.
- Dip each sandwich into the egg mixture, ensuring both sides are coated but not overly soaked.
- Cook the sandwiches for 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Add more butter as needed for subsequent batches.
- Assemble and Serve:
- Top each French toast sandwich with the macerated strawberries.
- Add optional toppings like maple syrup, whipped cream, or powdered sugar for an extra special touch.
Notes
- Substitute fresh strawberries with frozen ones if out of season; simply heat them with sugar and lemon juice to create a quick compote.
- For a fun twist, add a spoonful of strawberry jam to the cheesecake filling.