Cranberry French toast is thick challah slices cut open and stuffed with sweetened cream cheese and cranberries. They get dipped in egg and milk and fried in butter. Four servings from one loaf, and a Christmas morning breakfast that needs no oven.
The recipe says to melt the butter in a saucepan, which is the wrong pan for frying bread. Use a wide skillet instead. Give the slices longer than the stated minute or two a side, because stuffed challah needs time for the middle to warm.
The cranberries go in raw, with a full cup of sugar stirred into eight ounces of cream cheese. Raw cranberries stay hard and sour however much sugar sits beside them, so cook them down first and let them cool.
Cranberry French Toast
Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings30
minutes40
minutes300
kcalThick cut challah slit open and packed with a sweet cream cheese and cranberry filling. Soaked in a plain egg and milk custard and fried in butter until golden on both sides.
Ingredients
1 loaf challah bread (about 8 thick slices)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries
1/2 stick butter
4 eggs
1/2 cup whole milk
Directions
- Make the filling: Combine the cream cheese, sugar and fresh cranberries together in a bowl.
- Stuff the bread: Slice the challah into thick pieces, cut a pocket into each slice and stuff the cream cheese mixture inside.
- Heat the butter: Melt the butter over medium heat in a large skillet.
- Make the custard: Beat the eggs and milk together in a large bowl.
- Cook: Dip each stuffed slice into the egg mixture, coating both sides, then lay it in the skillet. Cook until golden on each side and the filling has warmed all the way through.
FAQs
How many slices of challah do I need?
Eight thick slices for four servings, which is most of a standard loaf. The card just says one loaf and leaves you guessing. Cut them an inch and a half thick so there is room for a pocket without the slice falling apart.
Why is it over 900 calories a serving?
Because a loaf of challah, a block of cream cheese, a cup of sugar and half a stick of butter split only four ways. The number on the card is right, which is unusual. Serve six instead of four and it drops to about 640.
Can I use dried cranberries instead?
Yes, and they solve the texture problem on their own since they are already soft and sweet. Use half the amount because they are far sweeter than fresh. Soak them in warm orange juice for ten minutes first if you want them plump.
Can I make it ahead?
Stuff the slices the night before, cover them and keep them in the fridge, which is the fiddly part done. Dip and fry in the morning so the outside stays crisp. Another morning bake you can build ahead is this soft gingerbread cinnamon rolls recipe.
What else goes on the Christmas breakfast table?
Something not stuffed with cream cheese, because this is rich from the first bite. A plain plate alongside gives people a choice. These gingerbread waffles cover the same morning without doubling the sugar.
