My husband, Shane loves french toast and when he’d ask me to make it for him I wasn’t very thrilled about it. Normally, I’m not a huge fan of french toast, it’s a little too bland for my taste buds.

Many years ago, I was looking for a creative way to add a little more flavor to this dish and make it a meal we could both enjoy.

After some thought I realized what makes breakfast food better, strawberries and cream cheese. I put a twist on the original french toasted and “Stuffed” it creating this delicious recipe “Stuffed” French Toast with Strawberry Cream Cheese filling.

INGREDIENTS

French Toast

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 4 eggs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 slices Texas toast
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, warmed

Filling

• 1 8oz container of Philadelphia Cream Cheese Original
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 3-5 whole fresh or frozen strawberries

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a blender/food processor, add strawberries and 2-3 teaspoons sugar, add a small amount of water if needed. Once blended, pour the strawberry mixture into a small bowl, add the cream cheese, remaining sugar and vanilla, stirring mixture well. Set aside.
2. In another small bowl, combine, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar and set aside briefly.
3. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Whisk together cinnamon mixture, eggs, milk, and vanilla and pour into a shallow container. Dip 2 pieces of bread into the egg mixture. Fry slices until golden brown, then flip to cook the other side.
4. Once both slices are fully cooked, add about 1 tablespoon of the strawberry filling mixture to the middle of one piece of bread. Cover the bottom slice of bread with the other slice of bread (forming a sandwich with the two pieces of French toast). Repeat in pairs with remaining slices of bread and filling mixture. Serve with fresh strawberries and syrup.