Strawberry & Cream Cheese French Toast

Just finished eating Strawberry & Cream Cheese French Toast! Yum...

I had some strawberries in the fridge that I had to use up before they spoiled so I searched around for a recipe to use for breakfast this morning. I found one from Paula Deen and with a few modifications this is what I came up with. A breakfast sandwich nirvana!

Strawberry & Cream Cheese French Toast

Ingredients:               Makes 5 servings

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectionary sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
• 10 slices bread
• 1 cup fresh sliced strawberries
• butter for frying
• Strawberry syrup, recipe follows
• Maple syrup & whipped cream if desired

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and vanilla, set aside. In another small bowl whisk together cream cheese, confectioary sugar, and maple syrup, set aside.
Melt butter on griddle over medium-low heat. dip only one side of bread in egg mixture, cook one side only on griddle. Once all of the slices are toasted on one side it is time to assemble the sandwiches. Turn griddle off. Spread cream cheese mixture on the toasted sides of the bread then layer strawberry slices over the cream cheese on five pieces of bread. Top with the remaining five pieces of bread. Reheat griddle and butter. Now dip each sandwich in egg mixture on each side and fry until golden brown. 2-3 minutes each side.
Serve with strawberry syrup.
You can also serve with maple syrup, whipped cream, and confectionary sugar.

Strawberry Syrup

• 3 cups fresh sliced strawberries
• 1 cup sugar
• Zest and juice of one lemon

In a medium saucepan, combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. 
Lower heat and simmer til syrup has thickened. 15-18 minutes.