Strawberries & Cream Stuffed French Toast

It's officially February, and with Valentine's Day just around the corner (already, can you believe it?) we can't get enough of the sweet recipes swirling around our social media channels. Is there a better way to share some love with the special people in your life than making something fresh from your kitchen?

If you're a fan of strawberries and cream, this breakfast take on the classic pairing is sure to make you smile. Start your Valentine's Day brunch with layers of fluffy, custard-coated French toast sandwiched around creamy, pink strawberry filling.

And if you're not a fan of French toast, you could always pair this strawberries and cream filling with pancakes, crepes, or other breakfast faves. With the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, this creamy filling has SO many delicious applications. 

This Valentine's Day, we're taking time to celebrate the special ladies in our lives with a Galentine's Brunch. From champagne coated strawberries to colorful sprinkle cake, we've got all you need to shower your favorite gal pals with love. This berries and cream French toast would make the perfect start to the brunch, don't you think? 

Here's to February, to sharing love, and to celebrating the special people in our lives. What are you looking forward to sharing with your Valentine? Let us know in the comments below!

Ingredients:

For the French Toast:

• 3 eggs

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup whole milk

• 2 T sugar

• 1 tsp vanilla

• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon

• ⅛ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp salt

• 8 slices brioche bread

• 4 T butter

For the cream cheese filling:

• 2 packages cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup strawberry puree (about 5 strawberries)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup diced strawberries

For topping:

• Powdered sugar
• Fresh sliced strawberries

Directions:

• Whisk together all ingredients for dip mixture

• Beat together all ingredients for cream cheese filling till smooth,  except for diced strawberries.  Fold in the diced strawberries and then put into a piping bag or large ziploc with a corner cut off.

•  Heat a saute pan over medium heat.  Add 1 T butter and allow to melt.

•  Quickly dip 2 pieces of bread into the dip mixture and allow excess to drain off.

•  Immediately place them into the hot pan and allow to sear on both sides until golden brown.  Make sure the heat isn’t too high or the middle of the bread won’t be set yet.

•  Repeat with all bread, keeping the batches in a warm oven.

•  Once all cooked, lay out 4 of the french toast slices on plates.  Pipe the cream cheese mixture to cover the bread and then top with the other slice of french toast.  

•  Dust powdered sugar on top and then arrange fresh strawberries on top as a garnish.  Drizzle with maple syrup and serve!