12slicesthick slices Brioche challah, French bread, or Italian bread
Filling:
8ouncescream cheese, softened
1/2cupdiced strawberries, (plus more for serving)
2tablespoonswhite sugar
Egg Batter:
4largeeggs
1cupwhole milk
1teaspoonvanilla extract
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
pinch salt
Optional Toppings:
butter, maple syrup, powdered sugar, whipped cream, and sliced strawberries
butter for cooking
Instructions
For the filling: In a small bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, strawberries, and sugar.
Gently spoon 1/6 of the cream cheese mixture on one slice of bread and top with another slice. Repeat with remaining bread. Refrigerate the prepared bread slices while you prepare the batter. This helps the filling stay firm.
For the egg batter, add the eggs, milk, vanilla, ground cinnamon and salt to a medium shallow bowl and mix well. Set aside.
In a large skillet, melt about 1-2 tablespoons butter over medium heat. While butter is melting, dip a few pieces (how ever many can fit in your skillet) in the milk mixture for 3 seconds per side. Place in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Wipe out skillet in between batches if necessary.
Keep warm in the oven on a cookie sheet at 200 degrees F. until ready to serve. Serve warm with butter, maple syrup, fruit, whipped cream, or powdered sugar.