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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast and Brunch Recipes

    Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast Recipe

    Published: Jun 23, 2023 · Modified: Oct 30, 2024 by Karin and Ken · This post may contain affiliate links. 19 Comments

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    This Stuffed French Toast recipe makes a terrific breakfast treat for special occasions, holidays, or any time you have overnight houseguests! It's seriously one of my favorite breakfast treat!  I love both the French toast with cream cheese filling and the crumbly topping!  Both are nothing short of perfection!

    A piece of baked stuffed french toast on a plate topped with strawberries.

    Cream cheese stuffed French toast is a delightful twist on the classic breakfast favorite.

    Imagine biting into the warm, golden streusel crust of a perfectly cooked French toast, only to discover a sweet and creamy cream cheese surprise hidden inside.

    Preparing this delicious dish is simpler than you might think and it's perfect to make a day ahead to bake in the morning.

    This was inspired by my pumpkin spice french toast recipe! Serve it up with candied bacon strips, sausage patties, or choose of these other sides to serve with french toast to plan out your meal.

    Why You Will Love Baked Stuffed French Toast

    • Create a mouthwatering breakfast dish in just a few simple steps!
    • It's a dish that's sure to impress your family and friends.
    • Perfect for brunch, parties, holidays, or any special occasion when you want to treat your loved ones to something extraordinary.
    • While this French toast recipe seems extra special, it uses common ingredients, many of which you may already have in your pantry or refrigerator.

    Ingredients

    Here's a look at the main ingredients you're going to need. They're easy to find in most grocery stores if you don't already have them on hand.

    Overhead photo of all the ingredients needed to make Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast.

    For best results, use day old bread because slightly stale bread absorbs the egg mixture better than fresh bread.

    • Cream cheese: The main ingredient in the cream cheese filling for French toast.
    • Vanilla: Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor!
    • Egg: Added to the cream cheese filling to make it fluffier but also used for dipping the bread. It's what gives the bread it's pillowy inside when cooked.
    • Bread: Any type of bread works but choosing a quality French bread, cinnamon raisin, white, or egg bread (Challah) really make it special.
    • Milk and heavy cream: Also used to soak the bread. The heavy cream adds an extra layer of richness than milk alone.
    • Spices: Cinnamon and nutmeg add gentle warming spices to this French toast bake.
    • Brown sugar: The perfect sugar to make the crumbly topping for your baked French toast.
    • Pecans: Added to the topping for some crunch. But you can also use your favorite chopped nuts like hazelnuts, almonds, or walnuts.

    Variations

    Don't have the correct ingredients on hand? Or want to change something up? Here are some helpful tips for you to change this French toast with cream cheese filling.

    • Add Chips - Add some chocolate chips, peanut butter chips, butterscotch chips or caramel chips to the cream cheese mixture or sprinkle them between the layers before baking. You can also add them on top as soon as removed from oven.
    • Add Fruit - Add your favorite berries (raspberries, strawberries, or blueberries) or sliced fruits like apples, pears, peaches, mangoes to cream cheese mixture or in between layers. You can also include fruit as a side or addition to the French toast casserole when serving it.

    How to Make Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

    This easy stuffed French Toast baked in the oven goes together in just a few steps. Here's a look at the main steps.

    1. Combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, egg, and flour.
    2. Whisk until the ingredients are well blended.  
    Softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, egg, and flour inside a mixing bowl.
    Cream cheese mixture mixed well inside a glass mixing bowl with a spatula
    1. Place the slices of bread in the bottom of your prepared pan. Use half slices of bread and smaller pieces to fully cover the bottom of the pan.
    2. Spread your cream cheese mixture on top of this layer of bread. The cream cheese layer will be thick.
    Slices of white bread placed at the bottom of a prepared pan.
    A layer of cream cheese mixture spread on top of the slices of bread inside the pan.
    1. Top with the remaining bread slices on top of the cream cheese mixture overlapping the bread in a different pattern for the top layer. 
    2. Whisk together the eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in another bowl.
    A second layer of sliced bread placed on top the cream cheese mixture inside the pan.
    Pouring milk into a bowl full of eggs, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg.
    1. Pour the egg mixture slowly over bread stuffed with cream cheese coating all of the bread pieces as much as possible. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and refrigerate the french toast casserole overnight. 

    PRO TIP: Use a butter knife to adjust and lift the top slices of bread slightly especially along the outer edge, to allow egg mixture to flow between bread slices.

    1. Remove the pan from the fridge the next morning and keep on the counter to rest for 30 minutes before baking. 
    2. Combine the brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and flour.
    Egg mixture poured onto the stuffed bread inside the pan. Coating all the slices of bread.
    Brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and flour inside a medium sized mixing bowl.
    1. Mix with a fork or your fingers until crumbly and well combined. Once the butter is totally mixed in add the chopped pecans. 
    2. Cover the bread in your prepared pan with the streusel topping.
    Butter pecan mixture thoroughly mixed inside a medium sized bowl by hand.
    Stuffed bread inside a pan with a streusel topping.
    1. Bake in the oven until golden brown. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center of the pan. 
    2. Cut into slices and serve with a dusting of icing or powdered sugar and fresh fruits, whipped cream, chocolate chips or maple syrup. Enjoy with your favorite sides for french toast.
    Overhead photo of Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast inside a glass baking pan ready to serve.
    A slice of Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast on a metal spatula.

    ⭐️ Hint: If you use a larger pan to make your french toast you may need to add another scrambled egg or two. The egg mixture must cover the cream cheese mixture and end near the edge of the top bread layer, in whichever pan you use.

    If you love recipes like this, you may also enjoy our croissant french toast, blueberry croissant french toast, Apple French Toast Casserole, or our cream cheese strawberry stuffed French toast recipe.

    Closeup photo of a fork with a bite of baked stuffed french toast.

    Storage

    Refrigerator: Store cream cheese stuffed french toast after it's completely cooked in the fridge. Place it in an airtight container or wrap individual slices in plastic wrap. It should last up to three days.

    Freezer: If packing in a container, place a piece of parchment paper between slices to prevent them from sticking together. You can also wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in a freezer-safe airtight container or plastic bag. Store for up to 3 months. Thaw it out in the fridge overnight.

    Reheat: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking sheet. Place defrosted portions of baked french toast on sheet pan and bake for 15 minutes or heated through.

    Make Ahead: It's not called overnight French toast for nothing! Completely make the casserole except for the topping and then store in the fridge overnight. Let it sit on the counter for 30 minutes to come to room temperature before baking as directed.

    What to Serve with Stuffed French Toast

    Serve it up with a variety of toppings to allow everyone to add their own. Here are the basics to offer:

    • icing or powdered sugar
    • maple syrup
    • whipped cream
    • fresh fruit
    • chocolate chips

    Serve with a sauce or syrup. Add a drizzle of caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, strawberry sauce, or butter pecan syrup.

    Add a scoop of ice cream.

    Sprinkle some nuts on top.

    Crumble up some salty cooked bacon and sprinkle it over the top or serve it on the side. It complements the sweetness of French toast beautifully.

    A piece of french toast casserole on a plate with a bite missing from the slice.

    Tips

    Here are a few tips to keep in mind when making french toast with cream cheese filling.

    • Use bread that is thick and dense. I recommend brioche, Texas toast, French bread or challah (egg bread). These hold up better when stuffed with cream cheese filling.
    • Use a pan or casserole dish that is at least 2 ½ inches deep and at least 8 x 8 inches. 
    • Using a larger pan? You may need to add another scrambled egg or two. The egg mixture must cover the cream cheese mixture and end near the edge of the top bread layer, in whichever pan you use.
    • Let it sit overnight. This allows the egg mixture to fully soak into the bread. This ensures a crisp exterior and soft, custard-like interior.
    • Preheat your oven for even cooking.
    • Allow your cooked french toast to rest before serving to set so you end up with nice slices.

    FAQ

    How do I make a cream cheese filling for french toast?

    To make a delicious cream cheese filling, simply beat together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, flour, egg and vanilla until it reaches a spreadable consistency. You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer to achieve a smooth texture, but mixing with a spoon works as well.

    How will I know when my french toast casserole is cooked?

    The casserole top will be golden brown and a toothpick inserted into bread in the center should come out clean.

    What bread is best for French toast?

    When making cream cheese stuffed French toast, it's best to use a thick, sturdy bread like brioche, challah (egg bread), or Texas toast. These breads hold up well when stuffed and cooked, preventing the French toast from becoming too soggy.

    A slice of Stuffed French Toast baked on a plate and maple syrup pouring from a pitcher onto the slice.

    How to Make This Recipe Video

    Check out our video below and you will be able to see exactly how this wonderful dish is made!

    YouTube video

    More French Toast Recipes

    We are huge french toast fans in this house and I have included links below to some of our other favorites.  Hopefully you have a moment to take a peek at those recipes as well!

    • Banana Chocolate Caramel French Toast
      Banana Chocolate Caramel French Toast
    • A fork holding a bite of Apple French Toast casserole topped with pecans and the baking dish with more visible in the background.
      Apple French Toast Casserole
    • Overnight Pecan French Toast
      Overnight Pecan French Toast
    • Blueberry Baked French Toast with Cream Cheese
      Blueberry Baked French Toast with Cream Cheese

    Ready to get cooking? Remember you can print this recipe if you would like.

    Cream cheese stuffed french toast on a plate with strawberries on top.

    Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

    Karin and Ken
    This Stuffed French Toast recipe makes a terrific breakfast treat for special occasions, holidays, or any time you have overnight houseguests! It's seriously one of my favorite breakfast treat!  I love both the French toast with cream cheese filling and the crumbly topping!  Both are nothing short of perfection!
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Chill Time 8 hours hrs
    Total Time 9 hours hrs 20 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, brunch, Main Course
    Cuisine American
    Servings 8
    Calories 625 kcal

    Equipment

    • 9 x 9 inch cake pan Deep Casserole Dish
    • Measuring cups and spoons
    • 3 mixing bowl
    • whisk
    • Hand mixer
    • cutting board
    • Sharp knife
    • Rubber spatula
    • Aluminum foil
    • toothpicks

    Ingredients
      

    Cream Cheese Filling

    • 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
    • ⅓ cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract -
    • 5 tblsp all-purpose flour
    • 1 large egg

    French Toast

    • 1 loaf bread, french, cinnamon raisin, white or egg (challah), 1 in thick slices -
    • 6 large eggs
    • 1 ½ cup milk
    • ½ cup heavy cream (35%)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract -
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
    • ½ teaspoon nutmeg, ground

    Streusel Topping

    • ⅔ cup brown sugar, packed
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ground
    • ¾ cup all-purpose flour
    • ¾ cup pecans, chopped, optional
    • ⅓ cup butter, softened

    Options For Serving

    • icing or powdered sugar
    • maple syrup
    • fresh fruit
    • chocolate chips
    • whipped cream
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Prepare your deepest 9x9 inch casserole dish (as close as you can get!) or baking pan lightly coated in cooking spray. If you are using a pan of a different size you may have to adjust the number of eggs and the amount of cream and milk so that there is enough to coat the bread. You can add anther egg or two at the end if you even need it!  Set aside. 
    • In a medium sized bowl combine softened cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, egg, and flour. Whisk until well blended. You can also use a handheld or stand mixer to make blending easier!  Set aside. 
    • Place slices of bread across the bottom of your prepared pan. Use half slices of bread and smaller pieces to fully cover the bottom of the pan. Spread your cream cheese mixture on top of this layer of bread. The cream cheese layer will be thick. Place remaining bread slices on top of the cream cheese mixture in the pan. Try to overlap the bread in a different pattern for the top layer. Set aside. 
    • In a large mixing bowl combine eggs, milk, cream, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Once mixed pour slowly over bread and cream cheese. Try to coat all of the bread pieces as much as possible. Using a butter knife adjust and lift bread slightly at the outer edge, to allow egg mixture to flow between bread slices. Cover pan with aluminium foil and refrigerate at least two hours or overnight. 
    • When you are ready to bake remove pan from the fridge and keep on the counter to rest for 30 minutes before baking. 
    • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  
    • Grab a medium sized bowl and combine brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, and flour. Mix with a fork or your fingers until crumbly and well combined. Once the butter is totally mixed in add the chopped pecans. 
    • Cover the bread in your prepared pan with the streusel topping. Bake for between 45-60 minutes, until golden brown. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the center of the pan. 
    • Cut into slices. Serve with a dusting of icing or powdered sugar and fresh fruits, whipped cream, chocolate chips or maple syrup. Here is a list of all of our favorite sides to serve with french toast in case you're interested. Enjoy!

    Notes

    Use bread that is thick and dense. I recommend brioche, Texas toast, French bread or challah (egg bread). These hold up better when stuffed with cream cheese filling.
    Use a pan or casserole dish that is at least 2 ½ inches deep and at least 8 x 8 inches. 
    Using a larger pan? You may need to add another scrambled egg or two. The egg mixture must cover the cream cheese mixture and end near the edge of the top bread layer, in whichever pan you use.
    Let it sit overnight. This allows the egg mixture to fully soak into the bread. This ensures a crisp exterior and soft, custard-like interior.
    Preheat your oven for even cooking.
    Allow your cooked french toast to rest before serving to set so you end up with nice slices.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 625kcalCarbohydrates: 86gProtein: 19gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 11gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.3gCholesterol: 206mgSodium: 553mgPotassium: 316mgFiber: 4gSugar: 34gVitamin A: 770IUVitamin C: 0.3mgCalcium: 223mgIron: 5mg
    Keyword cream cheese filled french toast, french toast casserole, overnight french toast casserole
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
     

    This post was originally published October 2018. It has been updated with new images and content.

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    Comments

    1. msSally says

      March 05, 2021 at 12:46 pm

      5 stars
      Could this possibly be made ahead and frozen? Would love to have some onhand when I'm hungry for it! Thanks.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        March 10, 2021 at 10:55 am

        I apologize for missing your message! I have to tell you that I have some in my freezer right now. For some, they have issue with how the cream cheese freezes. I do not. If I didn't put it inside my freezer I might just eat the entire thing! I can't get enough of this french toast recipe. Hope this helps. Take care and all the best. Karin

    2. Christy says

      September 26, 2019 at 1:26 pm

      5 stars
      Wow Karin! This looks delicious. Can't wait to make this. Thank you for the recipe.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        September 27, 2019 at 9:26 am

        As always you are most welcome! I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! I just love it myself! Take care. Talk soon. Karin

    3. Glennis says

      October 18, 2018 at 1:05 pm

      5 stars
      This doesn’t need syrup or cream or anything. Tasted great by itself. Didn’t need the extr calories. LOL My new favorite comfort food thank you

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 18, 2018 at 2:42 pm

        So glad you loved it! It is a favorite around here too! You are right it tastes delicious by itself but unfortunately I am a the more the better kind of girl! Funny but true! Take care of you and be well. Karin

    4. Lisa says

      October 18, 2018 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      Wish I foundling your site sooner. Have loved everything I tried so far but this is my new favorite meal. Perfect everything and loved by all. Thank you and keep up the great work. Thank you

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 18, 2018 at 2:49 pm

        So glad you have found our site now! We do aim to please! I love this dish too! I wish I could eat it more often than I do! Also thank you for letting me know that you enjoyed some other recipes you have tried on this site! You really made my day! Hopefully you will find lots more! All the best. Karin

    5. Gertrude says

      October 18, 2018 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is wonderful. Love the topping and the cream cheese filling. It was so good everyone loved it. Will serve with fruit next time just used syrup this time. Thank you

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 18, 2018 at 3:08 pm

        Hopefully you enjoy this dish even more with fruit! I love the topping and the cream cheese center too. So good! Glad I’m not the only one who loves this french toast! Take care and enjoy the rest of your day! Karin

    6. Sybil says

      October 18, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      5 stars
      Amazing recipe. Grandkids loved it. Will definitely keep it to do again. Thank you for sharing it.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 18, 2018 at 3:11 pm

        As always you are most welcome! Happy you all, especially the grandkids, loved it. Hopefully you will find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best to you. Karin

    7. Jerri says

      October 18, 2018 at 12:56 pm

      5 stars
      Can’t wait to make this again. Mixed strawberries with the cream cheese and loved it. Thank you for sharing this recipe!!!! Can’t wait to try your chocolate banana French toast next.

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 18, 2018 at 3:21 pm

        What a great idea to add the berries to the cream cheese! Bet the cream cheese mixture tasted even better! I love fruit with this dish! The more the better! Please let me know what you think of the chocolate banana French toast. I love it too! Hopefully you enjoy it just as much as this one! Take care and be well. Karin

    8. Millie says

      October 18, 2018 at 12:53 pm

      5 stars
      Best French Toast ever. Perfect for my brunch. Everyone loved it and asked for the recipe will definitely make again. Love your site!

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 18, 2018 at 3:22 pm

        Glad you are enjoying our site! We do our best to please! Hopefully you find some other recipes on this site that you enjoy just as much! All the best to you. Karin

    9. Sara says

      October 18, 2018 at 12:51 pm

      5 stars
      LOVE THIS!!!!! THANKS 4 SHARING!!!!

      Reply
    10. Anette says

      October 12, 2018 at 6:58 pm

      5 stars
      Everybody loved it Thank you for sharing it Will make again soon

      Reply
      • Karin and Ken says

        October 12, 2018 at 7:14 pm

        I LOVE this French toast and am so glad to hear you did too! Can’t thank you enough for taking the time to comment! You made my day! Take care and all the best. Karin

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    We are the kitchen divas: Karin and my partner in life, Ken.

    We have been attached at the heart and hip since the first day we met, and we love to create new dishes to keep things interesting. Variety is definitely the spice of life!

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