Stuffed French Toast

We love french toast around our house and I came across this recipe and knew I had to make it!  It was SO good!  We ate it for breakfast and then ate the leftovers after dinner!  This would make an awesome Father's Day breakfast!

 

Ingredients

Batter:

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Filling:

• 1 1/2 cups cream cheese
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup medium-diced banana
• 1/8 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Syrup:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• Butter, as needed
• 4 (2-inch thick) pieces challah bread (I just used a loaf of french bread from the bakery!)
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving, optional (We used whipped cream)
• Fresh berries, for serving, optional

Directions

Batter:

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well until incorporated. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Filling:
Fold all ingredients together in a bowl until well incorporated but not completely smooth.

Syrup:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and let reduce by 1/3.

French Toast:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat a large saute pan and then add butter. Dredge the bread in the batter and place in the pan. Cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool. Divide filling between 2 pieces of the bread top with the remaining 2 pieces of bread. Transfer french toast to oven and bake for 8 minutes.
Cut each French toast in half and serve with the cinnamon syrup and, if desired, a large scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh berries.