If you’re looking for the ultimate weekend brunch dish or a showstopping breakfast recipe, Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast is a dream come true. This rich, golden, and crispy French toast is filled with a creamy, lightly sweetened cream cheese mixture and often layered with fresh fruit like strawberries or blueberries.
Whether you’re planning a romantic breakfast in bed, a celebratory brunch, or simply want to elevate your mornings, this stuffed French toast is the definition of indulgence. It’s easy to make, endlessly customizable, and perfect for both kids and adults.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✅ Comfort food favorite with a gourmet twist
✅ Golden and crispy on the outside, soft and creamy inside
✅ Easily customizable with fruit, chocolate, or nuts
✅ Perfect for special occasions like Mother’s Day, birthdays, or holidays
✅ Great for make-ahead brunches
Recommended Kitchen Tools
- Mixing bowls
- Hand mixer or whisk
- Griddle or large nonstick skillet
- Spatula
- Bread knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Optional: piping bag (for neat filling), sifter for powdered sugar
Ingredients
For the Filling:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 3 tbsp powdered sugar (or to taste)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: zest of ½ lemon or orange for brightness
For the French Toast:
- 8 thick slices of brioche, challah, or Texas toast
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup (120ml) whole milk
- ¼ cup (60ml) heavy cream
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Butter or oil, for greasing the skillet
For Serving:
- Maple syrup or honey
- Powdered sugar
- Fresh fruit: strawberries, blueberries, bananas
- Whipped cream or Greek yogurt
- Optional: chopped nuts, fruit compote, chocolate chips
Preparation
Step 1: Make the Cream Cheese Filling
- In a bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy.
- Optional: stir in citrus zest for added flavor.
Tip: For smoother consistency, use a hand mixer or paddle attachment on your stand mixer.
Step 2: Prepare the Bread
- Use a sharp bread knife to make a slit in the middle of each bread slice to create a pocket. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
- Use a piping bag or spoon to insert a generous amount of cream cheese filling into each pocket. Gently press to seal.
Step 3: Make the Custard
- In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, heavy cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until fully combined.
Step 4: Dip the Toast
- Dip each stuffed slice into the custard mixture, soaking both sides well but not so much that it becomes soggy.
- Let excess drip off before cooking.
Step 5: Cook the French Toast
- Heat a skillet or griddle over medium heat and add a bit of butter.
- Cook the French toast slices for 3–4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Work in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Step 6: Serve and Garnish
Plate your Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast with your favorite toppings like fresh berries, powdered sugar, maple syrup, and whipped cream.
Tips for Success
- Use thick bread: Brioche or challah holds up well and soaks up just the right amount of custard.
- Don’t overfill the bread: Too much filling can leak during cooking.
- Let bread sit for a minute after soaking: This helps it fully absorb the custard.
- Low and slow: Cook over medium to medium-low heat to avoid burning the outside before the inside is heated.
- Use day-old bread: Slightly stale bread soaks better and holds its shape.
Flavor Variations
🍓 Strawberry Cream Cheese
Add finely chopped fresh strawberries or strawberry jam to the cream cheese filling for a fruity twist.
🍫 Chocolate Hazelnut
Replace or mix the cream cheese with Nutella or other chocolate spreads.
🥜 Peanut Butter Banana
Add peanut butter to the cream cheese and top with banana slices.
🧁 Cinnamon Roll Style
Mix cinnamon and brown sugar into the cream cheese for a spiced filling and top with cream cheese glaze.
Make It Fit Your Diet
🥛 Dairy-Free
- Use plant-based cream cheese
- Swap milk and cream with almond milk or oat milk
- Cook with vegan butter or coconut oil
🥚 Egg-Free
- Use a custard base with mashed banana or dairy-free yogurt as a binder
- Try an egg replacer like JUST Egg
🌾 Gluten-Free
- Use thick gluten-free bread
- Check all ingredients (especially vanilla extract and toppings) for gluten content
Storage and Reheating
Refrigerate
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Freeze
Let slices cool completely, then freeze individually wrapped slices in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months.
Reheat
- Oven: 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes
- Toaster oven or skillet: reheat on medium-low
- Microwave: quick but may lose crispness
FAQs
Can I make stuffed French toast the night before?
Yes! Stuff and dip the slices, then refrigerate them on a baking sheet. Cook in the morning.
Can I bake instead of fry?
Yes. Place dipped slices on a greased baking sheet and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
How do I keep it warm for serving a crowd?
Place cooked slices on a tray in a 200°F (95°C) oven to keep warm.
Can I add fruit inside?
Yes! Thinly sliced strawberries, blueberries, or bananas work well inside the bread pocket with the cream cheese.
Conclusion
Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast is a luxurious twist on the breakfast classic that brings restaurant-quality results right to your home kitchen. Whether you keep it simple or load it up with fruit, syrup, and cream, every bite is rich, comforting, and incredibly satisfying.
Perfect for brunches, holidays, or cozy weekend mornings, this recipe is sure to become a go-to in your breakfast repertoire. And once you try it, you’ll see why stuffed French toast is a fan favorite — crispy, creamy, and endlessly customizable.
