Strawberry Almond Stuffed French Toast

A delicious stuffed French toast with strawberries, sweetened cream filling, and almonds.

Ingredients

• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 1/2 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 loaf French bread, cut into 12 sliced 1 – inch thick
• Garnish – 1/2 cup confectioner’s sugar and 1/3 cup slivered almonds

Instructions

1. Using an electric hand or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, confectioner’s sugar, and almond extract until light and creamy. Transfer the cream mixture to a  bowl and cool in the refrigerator.
2. Sprinkle the sliced strawberries with sugar and gently stir the strawberries to evenly coat them.
3. In a flat based container, beat the eggs, milk and vanilla extract.
4. Make a deep cut in the center of each slice of bread to form a pocket.
5. Remove the cream filling from the refrigerator. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the filling inside the formed pocket of each slice.
6. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of sliced strawberries inside the formed pocket of each slide.
7. Gently compress the opening of the pockets closed.
8. Heat a non-stick skillet on medium heat.
9. Spray the pan with non-stick spray
10. Soak a slice of bread in the egg mixture on each of its side. Do this to as many sliced that will fit in the pan comfortably. Cook each side of the French toast until golden brown. Do this until all twelve slices are cooked.
11. To finish the dish off, dust each slice with confectioner’s sugar and slivered almonds. Left over strawberries and cream can also be spooned on top of each slice. Serve with maple syrup if desired.