French Toast Dreams Transform A Breakfast Favorite

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You'll soon be dreaming of these bite-sized breakfast sandwiches. French toast dreams are stuffed with sweetened cream cheese, which makes these bites lovely and decadent. Then, each portion is coated in a rich custard and cinnamon mixture and seared to create a crispy, golden brown crust that locks in a fluffy and moist interior. This is definitely an upgrade from your typical weekend French toast.

Southern Living French Toast Dreams on a platter to serve with syrup for dipping
Photo:

Greg DuPree; Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall; Prop Stylist: Claire Spollen

Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Servings:
10 to 12
ingredients for French Toast Dreams

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Ingredients

  • 1 (8-oz.) pkg. cream cheese, softened

  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar, plus more for dusting

  • 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, divided

  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, divided

  • 12 (1-oz.) day-old white or brioche bread slices, crusts removed

  • 2/3 cup whole milk or half-and-half

  • 2 Tbsp. granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

  • 4 large eggs

  • Unsalted butter, for greasing

  • Maple syrup

Directions

  1. Make cream cheese filling:

    Beat cream cheese in a medium bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy, about 1 minute. Add powdered sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of the vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and beat on medium speed until combined and fluffy, about 1 more minute, stopping to scrape down sides of bowl as needed.

    cream cheese filling - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  2. Assemble sandwiches:

    Spread 2 tablespoons of the cream cheese mixture on half of bread slices, spreading to the edges; top with remaining bread slices. Cut each sandwich into 4 equal squares to yield 24 small sandwiches.

    buildings French Toast Dreams - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  3. Make custard:

    Whisk together whole milk, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, eggs, and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla and 3/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow dish until just combined.

    Custard for French Toast Dreams - Southern Living

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

  4. Cook sandwiches:

    Heat a nonstick griddle to 325°F or a large nonstick skillet over medium. Lightly grease griddle or skillet with butter. Dip 12 sandwiches, 1 at a time, in milk mixture, quickly flipping to coat both sides; remove with a fork, letting excess liquid drip off. Place dipped sandwiches on prepared griddle or skillet, and cook until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining sandwiches. Dust with more powdered sugar; serve warm with maple syrup for dipping.

    French Toast Dreams ready to serve

    Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

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