BRUNCH TIME - Strawberry French Toast

This is another brunch option, this time not from "Brunch at Bobby's". I just looked for the most decadent version  of the American style breakfast French Toast with fruits, cream cheese and nuts. I am not a big fan of the plain french toast with maple syrup, but if you add some fruits and cream to it, I am all for it. This one has it all, fruits, nuts, cream and you can add syrup.

Ingredients

Filling

• 2-3 thick slices of Challah bread (a braided sweet bread) or white french or Italian bread
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (room temperature) + 2 tablespoons for frying
• 2-4 ounces cream cheese (softened) or mascarpone
• 1/3 cup of whipped cream (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 Tablespoon powdered sugar (and more for dusting)
• 1 cup diced fresh strawberries
• 1 banana, sliced (optional for topping)

Egg batter:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Breading:

• 1 cup crushed cornflakes or raisin brans (slightly crushed)
• 1 cup sliced almonds (or walnuts)

Preparation

1. In a small bowl, mix 2 tablespoons butter with the cream cheese (or mascarpone) till combined. Fold in the whipped cream. Add the vanilla extract, powdered sugar and diced strawberries and mix carefully. Keep some of the strawberries as topping. 
2. Slice the bread into thick slices (about 1.5inch). Make an incision, about 3/4 through the bread so that it creates a pocket. Spoon the cream cheese - strawberry mix into the pocket, don't overload. 
3. In a shallow bowl, prepare the egg batter by beating and mixing the eggs, milk, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. In another shallow bowl, mix the cornflakes and almonds.  
4. Now, dip the bread slices first into the egg mixture and soak both sides for about 20 seconds. Then, dip them into the cereal mix. 
5. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a big frying pan. When the butter is melted, add the bread slices and brown on each side for 3 minutes.
6. Remove the bread from the skillet and serve warm. Cut in halves or triangles, sprinkle with the remaining diced strawberries, banana slices and powdered sugar. 

 

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