French Toast filled with Strawberry Cream Cheese

Ingredients

Filling:

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
• 1 tablespoon orange zest

French Toast:

• 4 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
• 8 slices Texas Toast style bread, challah, or other thick-sliced bread
• Butter
• 1 recipe Strawberry Cream Cheese Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, strawberry preserves, and orange zest until smooth. Set aside.

In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and orange liqueur. Pour into a shallow bowl, such as a pie plate. Set aside.

With a pairing knife, slice a pocket into the side of the bread. Do not cut all of the way through the bread. Fill bread slices with a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture.

In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Dip the filled bread in the egg mixture and place in the skillet to brown on both sides, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining slices.

Serve hot with additional Strawberry Cream Cheese on the side.

1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

1 pint sour cream

2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)

2 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon honey

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice

Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse to combine.