Stuffed French Toast
Sunshine French toast is what this recipe should really be called. Sweet citrus cream cheese is sandwiched between tangy sourdough bread slices and soaked in an egg and cream mix overnight. Bake in the morning and top with orange soaked strawberries and fresh whipped cream for a sunny, bright dish to serve guests or family for breakfast.
Stuffed French Toast
Ingredients:
2 loaves sourdough or French bread (day old is best)
Soaking Mix:
18 eggs
1 cup half and half
1 cup orange juice
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla
Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
Zest from one large orange
Dash salt
Topping:
2 lbs strawberries, sliced
1 cup orange juice
1 cup simple syrup
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
With a sharp paring knife, peel crust off of sourdough or French bread loaves. Slice loaves horizontally (sub sandwich style) and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, combine powdered sugar and cream cheese. Stir in orange zest and salt.
Spread cream cheese mixture on bread halves and sandwich halves back together. In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, half and half, orange juice, and extracts until well combined.
Place bread loaves in a 9×13 baking dish. Pour egg mixture over top, cover with aluminum foil or cling wrap and refrigerate overnight, turning loaves at least once to ensure good absorption of egg mixture.
In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, orange juice, simple syrup and extracts. Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate overnight.
In the morning, preheat oven to 375F. Cover a large cookie sheet with aluminum foil and grease well with non-stick spray. Turning once to coat with egg mixture, remove loaves from baking dish and place on cookie sheet. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until tops of loaves are golden brown.
Remove strawberries from refrigerator.
Place baked loaves on cutting board and slice into approximately 2 in thick slices. Top with strawberries, fresh whipped cream and Cinnamon Maple Cream Syrup. Serve with bacon and orange slices on the side.
Serves 8