Tsoureki Stuffed French Toast

I love this version of French toast, for one because it allows me to use up my Easter bread in a different way. French bread is pretty yummy in it’s simplest format…bread dipped in a milky egg mixture and then fried, but when you start stuffing it with creamy things and fruit, oh my!

I started doing this after Easter about two years ago…not sure why I didn’t think of it earlier…and it is amazing. Tsoureki bread is a milky, eggy, buttery yeast bread that is a little sweet and works perfectly to use in French toast.

As with other French toast, the ingredients are simple. The hardest thing about it is figuring out what you want to stuff it with. You can use cream, neufchatel, marscapone, or ricotta cheese. Perhaps Nutella, peanut butter or another nut butter? Ummm…use whatever you enjoy the most. For the fruit you can use strawberries, blueberries, peaches and the list is endless.

The version today is stuffed with neufchatel cheese and sliced strawberries, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Top it all with some syrup…pancake, agave, or honey, and whipped cream and more berries. It’s so good my grandson Niko asked “can I have some more” three times in one day…of course I told him he can’t just eat dessert type food all day 🙂 .

You will need:

• 4 slices tsoureki (or other type) bread, sliced 1-1/2 inches thick
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk (or whatever milk you have on hand)
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 tablespoon cinnamon
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (optional)
• Neufchatel cheese (or other gooey cheese or spread)
• 8-10 strawberries, sliced (or jam of choice)
• Powdered sugar, whipped cream and additional berries, for garnish

Steps:

1. Slice the already sliced bread down the middle, but not all the way, leave about 3/4 inches.
2. Take a bread knife and cut about a 1/8 to 1/4 inch piece of cheese (long ways) and gently spread it between the slit in the bread on one side, without breaking it apart, and then again on the other side. Of course, if the bread splits, don’t worry, you can just sandwich it and it tastes the same…I just like leaving an edge at the bottom in case you want to stand it up. If you are using a spread than spread about a tablespoon and a half of spread on each inner side.
3. Take about 6 slices of strawberry and push it down in the middle of the cheese/spread.
4. Whisk the eggs, heavy cream, milk, sugar, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla (if using) until well combined.
5. Dip the bread pieces into the mixture and turn so all sides have been soaked for several seconds in the liquid.
6. Heat a cast iron pan (or any pan) on medium, lay in one or two toasts at a time and cook for one minute, then turn and cook for about a minute on all sides. If you see the toast cooking too fast turn down your heat to low. You want to make sure the egg is cooked.
7. Plate and top with your favorite syrup, sprinkle with some powdered sugar and cinnamon, and serve with some whipped cream and additional berries. Don’t make too many cause you will want to eat it all!

Kali Orexi!