This Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast is the ultimate breakfast indulgence! It's a decadent and delicious twist on classic French toast, featuring thick slices of French bread stuffed with a creamy, sweet cream cheese filling and topped with a homemade strawberry sauce. I love how this recipe combines the best of both worlds - French toast and cheesecake - in one unforgettable dish. It's perfect for a special weekend brunch, a holiday breakfast, or any time you're craving a truly special treat.
Why You'll Love This Stuffed French Toast
- Creamy Cheesecake Filling: The combination of cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla creates a rich and decadent filling.
- Fresh Strawberry Sauce: The homemade strawberry sauce adds a bright, fruity flavor that complements the cream cheese filling perfectly.
- Thick-Cut French Bread: Using thick slices of French bread creates a sturdy base for the filling and ensures a soft, custardy interior.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is surprisingly easy to make, despite its impressive results.
- Perfect for Special Occasions: This French toast is sure to wow your family and friends.
Ingredients for Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
Here's what you'll need to make this decadent breakfast. The full list with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Main Ingredients
- Fresh strawberries (Fruit)
- White sugar (Sweetener)
- Cold water
- Milk (Dairy)
- Large eggs (Binder)
- Cinnamon (Spice)
- Cream cheese, softened (Dairy)
- Vanilla extract (Flavoring)
- French bread (Bread)
- Butter (Fat)
Optional Toppings
- Whipped Cream
- Powdered Sugar
For thickening
- Cornstarch
(Note: the full ingredients list, including measurements, is provided in the recipe card below.)
Variations
I love this Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast as is, but here are a few ideas for variations:
- Different Fruit Sauce: Use raspberries, blueberries, or a mixed berry sauce instead of strawberry sauce.
- Add Lemon Zest: Add some lemon zest to the cream cheese filling for a brighter flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Stir in some mini chocolate chips to the cream cheese filling.
- Different Bread: Use challah, brioche, or Texas toast instead of French bread.
- Make it Savory: Omit the sugar from the cream cheese filling and add some savory herbs, like chives or thyme.
How to Make Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
Let me show you how to make this incredibly delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast:
Make the Strawberry Sauce
- In a medium saucepan, I heat the mashed fresh strawberries and ½ cup of white sugar over medium heat.
- In a small bowl, I mix the cornstarch and water together.
- I add it to the strawberries.
- I cook and stir until thickened, about 3-5 minutes. I reduce the heat to low and simmer while preparing the remaining ingredients, stirring occasionally.
Prepare Egg Mixture
- In a shallow bowl, I whisk the eggs, milk, and cinnamon together. I set it aside.
Make Cream Cheese Filling
- I mix the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and ¾ cup white sugar together in a bowl until smooth.
Stuff the Bread
- I cut my French bread into slices that are 2 inches thick.
- Then I cut a slit in each of the slices that reaches almost to the back, but doesn't break through the other side. This creates a pocket for the filling.
- I use a spatula to stuff the cream cheese mixture into the bread. I repeat with the remaining slices of bread.
Cook the French Toast
- In a large skillet, I heat the butter over low-medium heat.
- I dip the stuffed bread in the egg mixture, covering both sides and letting the excess drip off.
- Then I place it in the skillet.
- I cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
Serve
- serve
Tips and Tricks for the BEST Stuffed French Toast
Here are my secrets for making this French toast truly exceptional:
- Use Thick-Cut Bread: Thick slices of French bread are sturdy enough to hold the filling without falling apart.
- Don't Overstuff: Don't overfill the bread with the cream cheese mixture, or it will spill out during cooking.
- Cook Over Low-Medium Heat: Cooking the French toast over low-medium heat allows the bread to cook through and the cheese to melt without burning the outside.
- Fresh Strawberries: Using fresh strawberries for the sauce adds the best flavor.
How to Serve
This Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast is perfect for:
- Breakfast or Brunch: A decadent and delicious breakfast or brunch option.
- Special Occasions: Perfect for Mother's Day, birthdays, or any special celebration.
- Dessert: Serve it as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream.
Make Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the strawberry sauce and the cream cheese filling ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator. Assemble and cook the French toast just before serving. Leftover French toast can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet, in the oven, or in the microwave.
FAQs about Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
- Can I use frozen strawberries?
- Yes, you can use frozen strawberries for the sauce. Thaw them completely and drain off any excess liquid before using.
- Can I make this without the cream cheese filling?
- Yes, you can omit the cream cheese filling and just make strawberry French toast.
- Can I use a different type of bread?
- Yes, you can
Enjoy this decadent and delicious Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast! It's a perfect way to indulge your sweet tooth and impress your guests.
Print
Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4-6 1x
- Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Description
This decadent Strawberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast features thick slices of French bread filled with a sweet cream cheese mixture, dipped in a cinnamon-egg batter, and cooked until golden brown. A homemade strawberry sauce adds a fresh and fruity finish.
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Sauce:
- 1 cup fresh strawberries, mashed (see notes)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 cup cold water
For the Cream Cheese Filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
For the French Toast:
- ½ cup milk (whole, 2%, or skim)
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional, but recommended)
- 1 loaf French bread, cut into 2-inch thick slices
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter (or more, as needed for cooking)
For Serving (Optional):
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
Instructions
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Make the Strawberry Sauce:
- In a medium saucepan, combine the mashed strawberries and ½ cup granulated sugar.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the cornstarch and cold water until smooth.
- Add the cornstarch mixture to the saucepan with the strawberries and sugar.
- Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a simmer and thickens, about 3-5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low and simmer for a few more minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
-
Make the Cream Cheese Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, vanilla extract, and ¾ cup granulated sugar. Beat with an electric mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer) or stir vigorously with a spoon until smooth and creamy.
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Prepare Egg Mixture: In a shallow dish (wide enough to dip the bread), whisk together the milk, eggs, and cinnamon (if using) until well combined.
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Prepare Bread: Cut the French bread into 2-inch thick slices. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a slit into each slice, creating a pocket for the filling. Do not cut all the way through. The slit should reach almost to the back of the slice, but the bread should remain connected.
-
Fill Bread: Using a small spoon or spatula, carefully fill each bread slice with a generous amount of the cream cheese filling.
-
Heat Skillet: Heat 1 teaspoon of butter in a large skillet (cast iron recommended) over low-medium heat.
-
Dip and Cook French Toast: Dip each stuffed bread slice into the egg mixture, coating both sides. Let any excess egg mixture drip off. Place the dipped bread slices in the heated skillet.
-
Cook: Cook for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and the filling is heated through. Adjust the heat as needed to prevent burning. Add more butter to the skillet between batches, if necessary.
-
Serve: Serve the stuffed French toast immediately. Top with the warm strawberry sauce, whipped cream, and a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.
Notes
- Strawberries: For the sauce, you can use fresh or frozen strawberries. If using frozen, thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before mashing. Mashing the strawberries, rather than slicing or dicing, will help create a smoother sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- French Bread: Use a loaf of French bread that is at least a day old. Slightly stale bread will soak up the egg mixture better and hold its shape during cooking.
- Dipping: Don't soak the bread in the egg mixture for too long, or it will become soggy. A quick dip on each side is sufficient.
- Cooking Temperature: Cook the French toast over low-medium heat to ensure the filling is heated through and the bread is golden brown without burning.
- Serving Suggestions:
- Storage: Leftovers, covered, in the fridge.
