I’m kind of in love with French toast. And I think the love might be genetic because Cate is equally obsessed with it, too. Which is why it’s surprising that with this deep abiding devotion, I’ve never made stuffed French toast before. Crispy French toast? Check. Baked French toast? Check again. Begging for delicious French toast recipes from all of you? Triple check! But for some reason I’ve never ventured into the world of stuffed French toast…until now.
A few months ago we met my sister in Dana Point for breakfast. I ordered cream cheese-stuffed French toast because, well, who wouldn’t? And, in all honesty, I was supremely disappointed with what came to the table. I was expecting a cream cheese filling but got slabs of straight-up cream cheese. I was expecting magically stuffed bread but got two slices of French toast lying on top of each other with the aforementioned cream cheese just sitting in the middle. The dish did not at all live up to my expectations. This weekend I finally decided to make what I had envisioned a reality. (Yes, I have French toast visions. I told you it was serious.)
My homemade version was everything I imagined the restaurant version should have been. The right amount of sweet, the right amount of gooey, the right amount of cheesy. Nate really liked it, which is saying something because he does not in fact love French toast the way I do. (Never has the case of “opposites attract” been more true than with Nate and I!) Cate of course loved the stuffed French toast just as much as I did.
This stuffed French toast recipe was inspired by the Banana Cream Cheese Pie from the Dodo in Salt Lake City. Side note: I have been trying to recreate that pie at home but I’m finding it’s nearly impossible. I know some of you have been waiting for that recipe to appear on the blog but it may never happen, which is tragedy of epic proportions. While I may not be able to get the pie perfected, at least I can enjoy it in breakfast form!
I had leftover cream cheese frosting from when we made the chocolate heart sandwich cookies last week. I just used that for the filling and it was perfect! You could also simply let cream cheese soften to room temperature and mix in a bit of powdered sugar, vanilla extract and, if needed, a bit of milk to make it easier to mix up. Just add sugar to taste. You don’t want it to be too sugary, but you also want some sweetness involved.
- Thick slices of French-toast friendly bread (French, Italian, challah or whatever your favorite bread for French toast is, just so long as you can cut thick slices)
- Cream cheese frosting OR cream cheese softened to room temperature and mixed with a bit of vanilla extract, powdered sugar and milk (if needed), to taste
- Thinly sliced bananas
- Eggs (about 1 egg per every 2 slices)
- Dash of milk
- Dash of vanilla extract (more dashes for more eggs)
- Whisk together eggs, milk and vanilla extract and set aside.
- Cutting halfway down the slice, cut a pocket into each thick slice of bread. As you pull the knife through the final time, when the tip enters the slice, angle it down so that you can make the pocket a little deeper inside the slice without cutting the edges of the pocket any further down than half way.
- Spread a thickish layer of cream cheese frosting or sweetened cream cheese inside the pocket, then add a layer of bananas.
- Dip stuffed slices as usual in the egg mixture and cook over medium heat on the stove until both sides are golden brown. Serve with butter and a sprinkle of powdered sugar. (You will not need any other sweeteners!)
Hi! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and count on you to share yours! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
I can’t wait to make this!
you’ll love it! 🙂
This. Looks. Amazing!!!! My husband loves bananas, and I often cook them with a little honey to serve on his pancakes. I never thought to stuff them inside french toast, and with cream cheese, no less. I think this will be on the menu for Valentine’s Day breakfast 🙂
well, I am happy I could help with the valentine’s day breakfast! 🙂
Our former babysitter was from Salt Lake City, and I remember her mentioning the Dodo was her favorite restaurant. 🙂 What an awesome special breakfast!
sounds SO good! love your tip for the pocket of stuffed french toast. the one time i tried to make a stuffed french toast recipe, it was a huge disaster. that tip may make all the difference!
do let me know if it helps!!
OH goodness gracious! LOVE IT! Yeah, stuffing that baby is damn good!
I found this recipe through Foodgawker and fell in love with it from the first second I saw the first picture. I also love french toasts! They are delicious and they look cute as well, hehe, so that makes them very irresistible. :-p
Clever idea of cutting a pocket into the slices. Definitely gonna try it soon. Probably next weekend!
PS: I’ve suscribed to your blog. It’s wonderful!
I’m so glad everyone likes the pocket idea for stuffing the bread – glad I could be helpful!
and thanks for your sweet words about my blog – so glad you found us!
wow, very easy and delicious recipe
I just made this this morning for my husbands birthday breakfast. He loves stuffed French toast and this recipe was a huge hit!! I omitted the bananas but put strawberries on top. It was so good, we had to stop ourselves from eating too much! The method for stuffing was so simple and made it turn out perfectly stuffed 🙂 Thank you for sharing it!!
I’m thinking you must have made this with me in mind. YUM!!
but of course, sweet brenda!
I need this in my life this morning- delicious!
do it! 🙂
i am not big on bananas but this might just be the right trick for me to add bananas to my diet 🙂
yes, drenching them in sweet cream cheese just might do it! you could also easily sub out the bananas for another fruit, like strawberries or raspberries. enjoy! 🙂
Try this with coconut syrup sometime…. bananas and coconut syrup……………..mmmmmmm I’m doing this recipe with the coconut syrup……
that sounds AMAZING!!!!
my hubby only eats French toast once in a while and that’s if I slice bananas on it and cover it with caramel sauce seems to be the fav. but I think this might be worth a go..if not for him,I know I’ll enjoy it thanks
Sounds terrific. I’ll give a whirl.
My version of french toast is pretty simple. I usually just whisk together eggs and cinnamon and lightly dip wonder bread and fry in butter. Comes out pretty well, but I’ll have to try it with a dash of vanilla.
the dash of vanilla is so nice, I love it, even when I do simple french toast!
how do you cook the inside of the French toast???
it just cooks as the outside cooks! 🙂
Definitely making this VERY soon!
How much cream cheese did you use, just one 8oz package?
it will just depend on how much french toast you make, but an 8oz package would be enough for a LOT of french toast, so hopefully that helps! 🙂
Sounds like an easy , and wonderful dish. Can’t wait to try it.
Made a version this morning minus the bananas (dad doesn’t like them) used thick cut tomato basil bread i bought at panera. It was amazing.
so happy to hear that! thank you!
Im dying to try some, but being in Fl. we already have fresh strawberries. Any suggestions?
you should DEFINITELY try this with strawberries instead of bananas – it would be wonderful! just slice those berries up. if you like them a little sweeter, macerate the sliced berries in a bit of sugar for a few minutes first. Enjoy!
Years ago a local restaurant served stuffed French Toast. They combined cream cheese and apricot jam, whipped up a bit. Added a few banana “pieces” and stuffed Italian or Vienna bread. Sauted sliced bananas with pecans and a bit of syrup and poured this over the toast. Not done yet, a couple of dollops of whipped cream NOT COOLWHIP;REAL CREAM, was placed on top. That was 40 years ago but I still dream about this!
that sounds divine!!
wow banana french toast sounds amazing. we are gonna try this for christmas morning. i will drizzle chocolate over top as well or carmel ha ha aand will definatly use bananas cause who doesnt like fried bananas and we will put bluberries on top as well maybe strawberries but they are hard to find and they are really expensive right now. thanks for your stuffed tip!
raspberries are having a second harvest right now, you might find them easier than strawberries. sounds like a delicious christmas morning! enjoy!
I have to say that French Toast of any version NEEDS real maple syrup. I suggest Vermont maple syrup from Bushee Family Maple Farm in Danby VT. Excellent quality and I think if you google them you can order online.
I mase this recipe yesterday! Let me tell you how much my family and I loved it ! You’re the best !!!!
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