Strawberry-Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients
2 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
12 slices white bread
1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
Butter, for cooking
Maple syrup, for serving
Strawberry Syrup, for serving, recipe follows
Confectioners' sugar, for serving


Directions
In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, and granulated sugar. Spread the cream cheese on half of the bread slices and top with strawberries. Top with the remaining 6 bread slices and press around the edges to seal.


Melt butter on a griddle over medium-low heat. Dip the sandwiches in the egg mixture for a few seconds on each side. Cook the sandwiches until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Serve with maple syrup, Strawberry Syrup, or confectioners' sugar.


Strawberry Syrup:
3 cups sliced strawberries
1 cup granulated sugar
Zest and juice of 1 lemon
In a medium saucepan, combine all the ingredients and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer until the strawberries are soft and the syrup is thickened and reduced by 1/3 to 1/2 in volume, 15 to 18 minutes.


Remove from the heat and let cool to room temperature before serving.


Cook's Note: If a thinner syrup is desired, strain the hot syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean container and let cool.


SOURCE