Stuffed French Toast (Crispy Outside, Creamy Inside)

This stuffed French toast is crispy on the outside, soft and creamy on the inside, and filled with sweet cream cheese and strawberry jam. It's an easy breakfast recipe that comes together quickly but feels special enough for weekends, holidays, or when you just want something a little extra.

A No-Fail Breakfast That Feels a Little Fancy

If you've ever made stuffed French toast that turned soggy or fell apart in the pan, this method fixes that. With thick slices of bread, a quick dip in the custard, and a simple cream cheese filling, you get that golden, lightly crisp exterior with a warm, creamy center every time.

It's the kind of breakfast that looks impressive, tastes like something you'd order at a restaurant, but is simple enough to make at home without overthinking it.

It’s super easy to whip up, perfect for special occasions, and lazy Sundays for a delicious breakfast recipe.

Golden-brown French toast filled with luscious cream cheese and strawberry jam takes traditional French toast to a whole new level, similar to when we had fun making this French toast casserole.

If you want to test out some other French toast recipes, you could try some Brioche French Toast that’s creamy and packed with flavor. Or for something more kiddo-friendly, try these EASY Cinnamon French Toast Sticks and top them with delicious blueberries. This crock pot bagel French toast is another, hands-off option.

What is French Toast?

Classic French toast, known as ‘pain perdu’ in France, is a beloved breakfast dish that’s been gracing our tables since the 5th century. It’s a culinary magic trick that transforms stale bread into a sweet and savory delight. 

At its core, regular French toast is bread soaked in a mixture of eggs and whole milk, then fried to a yummy, golden perfection. Its fluffy interior and crispy exterior serve as a perfect canvas for a sprinkle of powdered sugar, a drizzle of maple syrup, or a dollop of your favorite fruit jam. It’s not just a breakfast option but also an opportunity to get creative in the kitchen!

How to Keep Stuffed French Toast from Getting Soggy

The biggest mistake when making stuffed French toast is over-soaking the bread. A quick dip is all you need. Just enough to coat the outside without saturating the center.

Also, using thick, sturdy bread like sourdough or brioche also helps hold the filling without falling apart. For extra crispness, lightly toast the bread before assembling.

Ingredients Needed

I’ve highlighted a couple of ingredients below with some relevant notes. Aside from this, the ingredients needed are pretty basic.

• Bread – Sourdough bread is definitely the best bread for this recipe. You’ll need 16 slices for it, 2 per portion. Thick-cut bread is better than thinner bread
• Cream cheese – You can use any cream cheese but aim for one that isn’t flavored as this can change how the French toast will taste.
• Maple syrup – You’ll want a good quality maple syrup to add to the toast and also as one of the toppings.

Best Bread for Stuffed French Toast

Not all bread works the same here. You want something thick and sturdy that can handle the filling and the custard.

• Sourdough - Slightly tangy and holds its shape well
• Brioche - Soft, rich, and slightly sweet
• Challah - Fluffy with a tender texture

Avoid thin sandwich bread, as it tends to get too soft and can fall apart when cooking.

Substitutions

Sometimes substitutions are necessary because of ingredients that are unavailable or needed for dietary restrictions. Here are some suggestions that can help:

• Sourdough Bread – If you can’t find sourdough bread, any kind of sturdy thick bread like challah, brioche, or French bread will do. For a healthier option, you can use whole-grain or gluten-free bread.
• Cream Cheese – If you’re dairy-free or just want to cut some calories, a non-dairy cream cheese substitute or Greek yogurt works well.
• Strawberry Jam – Not a fan of strawberries? Swap it out with your favorite fruit jam, like raspberry or apricot. For a less sweet option, you could use fresh fruit compote. Or simply leave out the strawberry jam entirely.
• Vanilla Extract – No vanilla extract in the cupboard? Almond extract can provide a delightful twist. You can also use a vanilla bean; just scrape out the seeds.
• Cinnamon – If you’re out of cinnamon, nutmeg or allspice can be a good substitute. They’ll give a different but still delicious flavor profile.
• Maple Syrup – Honey or agave syrup can stand in for maple syrup. Or for a unique take, try a flavored syrup like blueberry or caramel. 

Variations

Traditional French toast is like a culinary canvas - it’s open to all sorts of delightful twists and flavor combinations! Here are a few variations you might want to try out the next time you’re in the mood for a breakfast adventure:

• Chocolate Hazelnut Cream Cheese Delicious Stuffed French Toast: Swap the regular cream cheese for some chocolate hazelnut spread and cream cheese blend, and you’ve got yourself a Nutella lover’s dream breakfast! It’s like a deliciously decadent dessert but for breakfast. 
• Apple Cinnamon Stuffed French Toast: Bring the flavors of fall to your breakfast table by mixing diced apples and a sprinkle of cinnamon into your cream cheese. It’s like biting into a warm, comforting apple pie - first thing in the morning!
• Tropical Stuffed French Toast: Missing the beach? Bring a taste of the tropics right to your kitchen by filling your French toast with a cream cheese and crushed pineapple mixture. Drizzle with some coconut syrup for an extra tropical touch!
• Berry Blast Stuffed French Toast: Instead of strawberry jam, try mixing a variety of fresh berries - like raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries - into your cream cheese for a fresh and fruity breakfast treat. 

Remember, the best part about cooking is making it your own - so don’t be afraid to experiment with different fillings and toppings! Who knows, you might just discover a new breakfast favorite.

How to Make Stuffed French Toast

This French Toast is broken into 3 components:

• Prepare the ingredients
• Create the French Toast
• Cook and serve

*Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full ingredients list & instructions!*

STEP 1: Heat the skillet. Preheat your electric skillet to 375°F (or 191°C) and apply a small amount of non-stick baking spray. Allow the skillet to warm up.

STEP 2: Mix the cream cheese and sugar. In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Use an electric mixer to beat the ingredients until they are fully incorporated and have a creamy texture. Set aside. (Image 1)

STEP 3: Combine the eggs and milk. In a pie pan or similar shallow bowl, combine the eggs, milk, remaining vanilla extract, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Stir the mixture with a fork or small whisk until well combined. Set it aside for now. (Image 2)

STEP 4: Pipe the filling into the bread. Using a piping bag, spoon the cream cheese mixture onto one side of the bread, about a tablespoon per piece. Top it off with a small dollop (approximately 1 tsp) of strawberry jam. Make sure there’s a slight oozing effect when cutting into it by adding enough cream cheese mixture. Repeat this process for 8 pieces of bread, ensuring each one has a cream cheese mixture and strawberry jam on one side. (Image 3)

STEP 5: Add the jam. On the other slice of bread, create a small circle of space to ensure the jam stays on top without peeking through. Sandwich the bread together. (Image 3)

Tip: For a crispier texture on your French toast, start by toasting the bread before spreading the cream cheese mixture in the middle and dipping it into the custard mixture. This will give your French toast a delightful crunch while maintaining the delicious flavors intact.

STEP 6: Cover in egg mixture. Take one assembled piece of bread and dip it in the egg-milk mixture, allowing the custard to saturate the bread. Flip the bread to ensure that the egg-milk mixture covers the entire surface. Transfer it directly onto the heated skillet. Repeat this procedure for all eight pieces of assembled sourdough bread.

STEP 7: Cook the toast. On the hot skillet, cook the French toast for approximately 5 minutes on one side, then flip it over and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Aim for a golden brown color on both sides of the toast. Serve immediately. 

STEP 8: Add toppings and serve. Add your favorite toppings – a sprinkle of powdered sugar and mixed berries. Finish it off with a drizzle of maple syrup on top.

Recipe FAQs

What to Serve with Stuffed French Toast

Stuffed French Toast is a crowd-pleaser on its own, but it can be beautifully complemented with other delightful dishes for a full breakfast feast. Here are some suggestions:

• Fresh Fruit: A side of fresh, colorful fruit not only adds a vibrant touch to your plate but also provides a refreshing contrast to the rich French toast. Think fresh strawberries, banana slices, or a tropical fruit salad!
• Bacon or Sausage: For meat lovers, a side of crispy bacon or savory sausage makes a perfect pairing. The saltiness of the meat balances the sweetness of the toast.
• Scrambled Eggs: Light and fluffy scrambled eggs are a breakfast staple that pairs well with just about everything, including stuffed French toast.
• Hash Browns: Crispy on the outside, and soft on the inside – hash browns add a lovely texture variety to your breakfast spread.
• Yogurt: A cup of Greek yogurt can add a tangy, creamy element to your breakfast that pairs wonderfully with the sweet, stuffed French toast. Add a drizzle of honey or a handful of granola for extra flavor and crunch.

Storage

Storing leftover Stuffed French Toast is a breeze! Simply place the cooled leftovers in an airtight container and pop them in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and delicious for up to 2-3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just reheat in a toaster oven or standard oven at a low temperature until warmed through. 

And yes, you can absolutely freeze this dish for future indulgence! To freeze, lay your cooled leftover French Toast on a baking sheet and place it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Once each piece is individually frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe bag or container. This method prevents the pieces from sticking together and makes it easy to take out individual servings as needed. 

Frozen stuffed French Toast can last up to 2 months in the freezer. When you’re ready to serve, just defrost overnight in the fridge and reheat in the oven or toaster oven. Perfect for those busy mornings or when you’re craving a sweet, comforting breakfast!

More Breakfast Recipes You’ll Love

Looking for more ideas for a special breakfast that’s a little different? How about trying these Mini Waffle Breakfast Sandwiches for the perfect start to the day? Or if you are feeding lots of people, make a Breakfast Waffle Charcuterie Board and let everyone tuck into their favorites.

Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!

Recipe

Stuffed French Toast

Jessica Burgess

This stuffed French toast is filled with sweet cream cheese and jam, then cooked until golden and crispy on the outside with a soft, creamy center.

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Calories 337 kcal

Ingredients

• ▢ 16 pieces sliced Sourdough Bread
• ▢ 8 ounce block of Cream Cheese softened
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons Strawberry Jam optional
• ▢ 1 cup Powdered Sugar plus more for dusting (optional)
• ▢ 2 Eggs room temperature
• ▢ 1 ½ cups Milk
• ▢ 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract divided
• ▢ ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup

Instructions

 

• Warm your electric skillet to 375 degrees F (or 191 degrees C). Add a small amount of non-stick baking spray to the skillet and allow the skillet to warm.
• In a medium bowl, add the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer, beat until the ingredients are fully incorporated and are nice and creamy. Set aside.
• In a shallow bowl like a pie pan, add the eggs, milk, rest of the vanilla extract, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Using a fork or a small whisk, stir to combine. Then set-aside.
• Spoon the cream cheese mixture into a piping bag, and pipe about a tablespoon of cream cheese mixture to 1 side of the bread. Then add a small dollop (about 1 teaspoon) of strawberry jam on top. You'll want to add enough cream cheese mixture so there's a small amount of oozing when cutting into it. Repeat this process so 8 pieces of bread have cream cheese mixture and strawberry jam on 1 side.
• On the other piece of bread, add a small amount in a circle so there's room for the jam to stay on top and not peek through the top.
• Sandwich the bread together.
• Place 1 assembled piece of bread in the egg-milk mixture, allowing the custard to soak up into the bread. Flip the bread over so the egg-milk mixture is fully coating the bread. Place it directly onto the heated skillet. Repeat this process for all 8 pieces of assembled sourdough bread.
• Allow the French toast to cook for about 5 minutes, then flip it over and cook for 4 more minutes. **You want the French toast to become browned on each side.
• Serve immediately.
• Optional toppings – sprinkle with a dusting of powdered sugar and mixed berries. Drizzle maple syrup on top.

Notes

I used 2% milk in this recipe; any milk on hand will work. You can even use half and half.

If you want a crunchier texture to the French toast, you’ll want to toast the bread first before adding the cream cheese mixture to the middle and dipping it into the custard mixture.

I pipped on the cream cheese mixture to give the French toast a gooier look, but this isn’t necessary; you can spread the cream cheese mixture using a butter knife or a spoon. Being stingy with the cream cheese mixture will affect the flavor of the stuffed French toast.

Nutrition

Calories: 337kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 256mg | Sodium: 414mg | Potassium: 215mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 465IU | Vitamin C: 8.8mg | Calcium: 124mg | Iron: 3.2mg

Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.

Keywords brunch recipe, easy breakfast recipe, french toast recipe easy, french toast with cream cheese, strawberry french toast, stuffed french toast, weekend breakfast recipe

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