Decadent Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Grand Marnier Sauce
Indulge in this luscious Decadent Stuffed French Toast, with a creamy, delightful filling nestled inside thick slices of crusty French bread. Complemented by a rich Strawberry Grand Marnier sauce, this breakfast dish transforms your morning into a special occasion. Perfect for brunch gatherings or a cozy family breakfast, this recipe features a sweet blend of cream cheese, warm spices, and fresh strawberries enhanced by the zesty flavor of Grand Marnier. Each bite is an explosion of flavors that will leave everyone asking for seconds!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
French bread
1 loaf (not sliced)
cream cheese
8 ounces (softened)
nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon (ground)
sugar
2 tablespoons (granulated)
eggs
6 (large)
half-and-half
1/2 cup (liquid)
butter
1/3 cup (melted)
powdered sugar
1/2 cup (sifted)
cornstarch
1 tablespoon (for thickening)
Grand Marnier
3 tablespoons (or substitute with orange juice)
strawberries
2 cups (sliced)
Instructions
1
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Slice the French bread into 1-inch thick slices and make a slit in the crust of each slice to create a pocket for the filling.
3
In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg; mix until smooth and creamy.
4
Generously fill the slit in each slice of bread with the cream cheese mixture.
5
In another bowl, whisk together eggs and half-and-half until well combined.
6
Dip each stuffed slice of bread into the egg mixture, ensuring it is fully coated, and then place them side by side in a greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish.
7
Pour any remaining egg mixture over the stuffed bread slices, cover, and refrigerate overnight for better soaking.
8
The next morning, bake the French toast in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until it is golden brown and puffed.
9
While the French toast is baking, prepare the Strawberry Grand Marnier sauce by melting butter in a skillet over low heat.
10
Slowly mix in the powdered sugar, cornstarch, and Grand Marnier, allowing the sauce to thicken gradually.
11
Just before serving, add the sliced strawberries to the sauce and stir gently.
12
Serve warm French toast with a generous drizzle of Strawberry Grand Marnier sauce on top.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Stuffed French Toast?
It is a rich breakfast dish featuring thick slices of French bread stuffed with a cream cheese filling and topped with a Strawberry Grand Marnier sauce.
What kind of bread should I use for this recipe?
A whole loaf of crusty French bread is recommended so you can cut custom thick slices.
How thick should the bread slices be cut?
The French bread should be sliced into 1-inch thick pieces to allow enough room for the filling pocket.
What ingredients are in the cream cheese filling?
The filling consists of 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
How do I create the pocket for the stuffing?
Make a slit in the crust of each 1-inch thick slice of bread to create a small pocket for the cream cheese mixture.
What is in the egg mixture used for dipping?
The dipping mixture is made by whisking together 6 large eggs and 1/2 cup of half-and-half.
Should the French toast be refrigerated before baking?
Yes, for the best results, cover and refrigerate the stuffed and dipped bread slices overnight to allow the liquid to soak in.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
How long does the French toast need to bake?
Bake the dish for 35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and puffed.
What size baking dish is required?
A greased 9 x 13-inch baking dish is the appropriate size for this recipe.
How do I make the Strawberry Grand Marnier sauce?
Melt butter in a skillet, mix in powdered sugar, cornstarch, and Grand Marnier until thickened, then stir in sliced strawberries.
Can I make this recipe without alcohol?
Yes, you can substitute the 3 tablespoons of Grand Marnier with orange juice for a non-alcoholic version.
What is the role of cornstarch in the sauce?
One tablespoon of cornstarch is used to help thicken the sauce as it cooks with the butter and sugar.
When should I add the strawberries to the sauce?
Add the 2 cups of sliced strawberries just before serving to ensure they stay fresh and don't overcook.
How much butter is used in the sauce?
The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of melted butter as the base for the sauce.
What spices are added to the filling?
The filling is flavored with 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
How much sugar is in the cream cheese filling?
The filling uses 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar.
Do I use granulated or powdered sugar for the sauce?
The sauce uses 1/2 cup of sifted powdered sugar for a smooth, sweet consistency.
Is this recipe good for large groups?
Yes, it is perfect for brunch gatherings and family breakfasts as it uses a full 9x13 dish and a whole loaf of bread.
What do I do with the leftover egg mixture?
Any remaining egg mixture should be poured over the stuffed bread slices once they are placed in the baking dish.
Should the cream cheese be cold when mixing?
No, the cream cheese should be softened to ensure the filling is smooth and easy to mix.
Can I prepare the sauce while the French toast is baking?
Yes, the instructions suggest preparing the Strawberry Grand Marnier sauce while the French toast is in the oven.
How is the final dish served?
Serve the French toast warm with a generous drizzle of the warm strawberry sauce on top.
Can I use frozen strawberries for the sauce?
While fresh sliced strawberries are recommended, frozen ones could be used if thawed and drained first.
What does the Grand Marnier add to the recipe?
Grand Marnier adds a zesty, orange-flavored depth to the strawberry sauce that complements the cream cheese filling.
How do I know the filling is mixed well enough?
Mix the cream cheese, sugar, and spices until the consistency is completely smooth and creamy.
Is the French bread sliced before buying?
The recipe specifies using a loaf of French bread that is not yet sliced so you can control the thickness.
Does the French toast need to be covered in the oven?
The instructions do not require covering it while baking, only while it is refrigerating overnight.
Can I use milk instead of half-and-half?
Half-and-half is used for a richer texture, but whole milk could be a substitute if necessary.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
It features a sweet blend of cream cheese and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, topped with a bright, citrusy strawberry sauce.