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Berry Stuffed French Toast Recipe


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3.9 from 11 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Berry Stuffed French Toast is a delightful breakfast or brunch dish featuring thick slices of French baguette stuffed with a creamy mixture of cream cheese and fresh berries. Soaked in a flavorful cinnamon and brown sugar custard, then baked to golden perfection, it’s a crowd-pleaser perfect for special occasions or weekend mornings.


Ingredients

Bread

  • 2 – 3 loaves French baguette (8-10 inch, sliced about 1 inch thick, not cut all the way through)

Stuffing

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 cup thinly sliced fresh strawberries
  • 1 cup fresh blueberries
  • 1 cup fresh raspberries

Custard

  • 6 large eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon (divided use: 3 tsp in custard, 1 tsp reserved)
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar (divided: ½ cup for custard, ½ cup for topping)


Instructions

  1. Prepare Pan: Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch baking pan generously with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking during baking.
  2. Slice Bread: Slice each French baguette into thick slices about 1 inch thick, being careful not to cut through all the way so the bread remains attached at the bottom. Place the sliced bread into the prepared baking pan.
  3. Make Cream Cheese Berry Filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth. Gently fold in the sliced strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries until evenly combined.
  4. Stuff Bread: Spread the cream cheese and berry mixture evenly between each slice of bread, making sure the filling is well distributed throughout.
  5. Prepare Custard: In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, heavy cream, ½ cup brown sugar, and 3 teaspoons of cinnamon until fully blended. Pour this custard mixture evenly over the stuffed bread in the pan, soaking the bread thoroughly.
  6. Soak: Allow the bread to sit and soak in the custard mixture for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This lets the bread absorb the flavors and ensures a custardy texture.
  7. Preheat Oven and Add Topping: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of brown sugar evenly over the top of the soaked bread. Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil to prevent over-browning.
  8. Bake Covered: Bake the dish in the preheated oven for 15 minutes with the foil on, allowing the custard to set gradually.
  9. Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 30 minutes. This helps the top develop a golden-brown crust and ensures the custard is fully cooked.
  10. Rest and Serve: Remove the stuffed French toast from the oven and let it rest for about 10 minutes to cool slightly and firm up. Serve warm with maple syrup, whipped cream, and extra fresh berries if desired.

Notes

  • Make sure not to cut the bread slices all the way through to keep the bread connected for easy stuffing.
  • The soaking time can be adjusted depending on how custardy you want the French toast; longer soaking results in a richer custard texture.
  • You can substitute the berries with any fruits you prefer, such as sliced apples or peaches.
  • If you prefer a dairy-free version, you can substitute cream cheese and cream with plant-based alternatives.
  • Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 2 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American