It was way back in the day when my husband had just graduated college. We were ecstatic that he was offered a job right out of college to work for a home builder. I was still plugging away taking night classes at college while balancing working full-time. We were crazy busy and working our booties off to save every penny for a down payment on a new home.
My husband's company surprised their employees with an all-expense trip to San Diego. You would think we were going on a two-week vacation to Europe! We were poor college kids and beyond excited for this free trip! Of course we had to know where the best place on Coronado Island was to get breakfast. We were told by the locals about a charming little breakfast place with flower boxes lining it, they were known for their berry cream cheese stuffed french toast.
This was before Google (aka "my other brain") so we experienced some sticker shock when looking at the menu. In typical Dean fashion, he said "it's all good" and we sat down and ate one of the hands down best breakfast dishes we've ever eaten. It was well worth the hefty bill.
Ever since that day, I wanted to recreate that lovely breakfast dish.
My husband came home from work to find breakfast for dinner, as we like to call it. I served him up a plate of strawberries and cream stuffed french toast and waited with bated breath for his reaction. He is my ultra honest critic (in the most kind way possible) and I wanted him to be reminded of that memorable dish in that little cafe back in 1998. Thankfully he said he loved it and I could breathe again!
This Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast is what dreams are made of.
Yes, I said it. It's ridiculously easy to make yet is so impressive. It is made by making a sweetened cream cheese using strawberry jam, fresh strawberries and lemon zest and stuffing it in between two pieces of bread, such as Texas Toast. It is quickly dipped into a rich custard batter and cooked on a sizzling butter griddle until golden brown. The stuffed french toast is topped with powdered sugar, fresh berries, homemade fluffy whipped cream and a touch of real maple syrup. Absolutely heavenly!
Strawberries and Cream Stuffed French Toast
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Loaf Texas Toast or any thick bread, approximately 8-10 slices
- (1) 8-ounce pkg. Cream Cheese softened
- ⅓ cup Strawberry Jam
- ⅔ cup Strawberries sliced into small pieces
- ½ teaspoon Fresh Lemon Zest
- 1 cup Whole Milk
- 3 Eggs
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 5 Tablespoons Butter for pan
Toppings:
- Fresh Berries -- Blueberries Blackberries and Strawberries
- Powdered Sugar
- Real Maple Syrup
- Fresh Whipped Cream
Instructions
- In a small bowl, beat together cream cheese, jam, and lemon zest. Fold in fresh strawberries. Spoon mixture on piece of bread and top with another piece of bread.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla and brown sugar.
- Heat skillet on medium low heat and add 1 Tablespoon of butter per french toast.
- Working in batches, dip each piece of french toast into custard batter. Let each side soak for about 10 seconds. Add the soaked slices to the sizzling butter in the skillet.
- Cook until golden brown -- about 4 minutes per side.
- Serve with fresh berries, powdered sugar, whipped cream and real maple syrup.
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Tia
I am not usually a fan of french toast but this recipe is INCREDIBLE! The filling is so delicious. Definitely will make again.
Blogging Ideas
I finally took the time to make this as I normally am not the cook in the home. It was FANTASTIC! I will definitely make this again.
Raquel
It was very good! I didn't have texas toast on hand, so I used normal cut honey wheat and soaked it pretty briefly so it was just coated. At first I didn't realize I had thinner bread so when I dipped it for the full 10 seconds and tried to fry it up it came out like warmed bread pudding lol but after wising up it came out perfect! Thanks for the recipe it brightened up this memorial day!
Melissa
I am going to make this for a men's breakfast at church, so about 20 of them! Just wanted to know did you use texas toast? If yes, how does the egg on the sides get cooked? Did you have to sear the sides?
Thanks for replying!
Cindy
I ate at that same place way back in 2004 and have always wanted that recipe (and the one for their granola too). Can't wait to try this!!
Naomi
Delicious! This was quick to make and used ingredients I already had in the house. The whole family enjoyed it!
Chastity
You nailed this!! This is the BEST
French toast I have ever eaten!!