Stuffed Apricot French Toast Food

APRICOT-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Spray 13x9-inch pan with cooking spray.
• Cut bread crosswise into 12 1-inch slices. Cut a horizontal slit in the side of each bread slice, cutting to--but not through--the other edge.
• In medium bowl, beat cream cheese, preserves and lemon peel with electric mixer on medium speed about 1 minute or until well mixed. Spread about 2 teaspoons of the cream cheese mixture inside the slit in each bread slice. Place stuffed bread slices in pan.
• In medium bowl, beat eggs, half-and-half, granulated sugar, vanilla, salt and nutmeg with fork or wire whisk until well mixed. Pour egg mixture over bread slices in pan, and turn slices carefully to coat. Cover and refrigerate at least 30 minutes but no longer than 24 hours.
• Heat oven to 425°F. Uncover French toast and drizzle with melted butter. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired.

STUFFED APRICOT FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 teaspoon vanilla until fluffy. Stir in nuts; set aside. , Cut bread into 1-1/2-in. slices; cut a pocket in the top of each slice. Fill each pocket with about 2 tablespoons cream cheese mixture. In another bowl, beat eggs, cream, nutmeg and remaining vanilla. Dip both sides of bread into egg mixture, being careful not to squeeze out the filling. , Cook on a lightly greased griddle until lightly browned on both sides. Place on an ungreased baking sheet; bake at 325° for 15-20 minutes or until a knife inserted near the middle comes out clean. , Meanwhile, combine preserves and orange juice in a small saucepan; heat through. Drizzle over hot French toast.

APRICOT-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, cut a horizontal slit in each bread slice to form a pocket. In a bowl, blend jam and cream cheese. Spoon 1 tablespoon mixture into each pocket.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and cinnamon until combined. In a large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Lay half the bread slices in egg mixture, letting them soak 5 seconds on each side.
• Place slices in skillet; cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining bread, adding more butter to skillet if needed. If desired, serve French toast with syrup and bacon.

STUFFED APPLE FRENCH TOAST WITH PRALINE TOPPING

Steps:

• Butter an 11x18-inch casserole dish and layer with 1/2 of the bread slices, covering the bottom completely.
• Melt butter in a large frying pan over medium heat. Add brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and salt and stir to combine. Add apple slices and cook until crisp-tender, soft but still maintaining their shape, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes.
• Spread cooled apple mixture over bread layer in the pan. Top apple mixture with remaining bread slices, overlapping if necessary for good coverage.
• Whisk eggs, half-and-half, heavy cream, vanilla extract, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Pour over casserole, making sure to cover the bread evenly with the egg mixture. Cover with foil and refrigerate, 8 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine melted butter, brown sugar, pecans, corn syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. Spread topping evenly over the casserole.
• Bake in the preheated oven until puffed and lightly golden, 40 to 45 minutes. Check halfway through cooking time and cover with foil if the bread is browning too quickly. Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving.

APRICOT STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, cut a horizontal slit in each bread slice to form a pocket. In a bowl, blend jam and cream cheese. Spoon 1 tablespoon mixture into each pocket.
• In a shallow bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and cinnamon until combined. In a large nonstick skillet, melt 1 tablespoon butter over medium-low heat. Lay half the bread slices in egg mixture, letting them soak 5 seconds on each side.
• Place slices in skillet; cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining bread, adding more butter to skillet if needed. If desired, serve French toast with syrup.

STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• In a small bowl beat together the cream cheese, 2 tablespoons of the apricot jam, and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla until light and fluffy. Stir in the pecans and set aside.
• Cut the bread into ten to twelve 1 1/2-inch-thick slices; cut a pocket in the top of each. Fill the pocket with about 1 1/2 tablespoons of the cheese mixture.
• Combine the remaining apricot jam and orange juice in a small saucepan. Warm over low heat, whisking as jam melts so the mixture is a smooth syrup.
• Beat together eggs, whipping cream, cinnamon and the 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Preheat a large frying pan over medium heat, or use a griddle, if preferred. Using tongs, dip filled bread slices in the egg mixture, being careful not to squeeze out the filling. Cook in lightly greased pan for about 2 minutes per side or until lightly brown. Keep warm in a 300 degree oven while cooking remaining slices.
• To serve, drizzle warm syrup over the hot French toast.
• Tip: For lower fat, use 1 cup refrigerated egg product in place of whole eggs and 1% milk instead of whipping cream.

APRICOT FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Melt 1 tbsp butter in a medium-size frying pan. Put in the apricots, cut-side down, and gently fry for 2-3 mins. Flip over and cook for 1 min more until lightly golden. Add the caramel to the pan and melt until saucy - if it's still too thick to coat the fruit, add a splash of water. Keep warm.
• Mix the custard with 4 tbsp of water to loosen, then dip in the bread slices, turning to coat thoroughly. Melt half the remaining butter in a large non-stick frying pan. Lightly shake off any excess custard mixture from half the bread slices and fry in the butter for 2 mins each side until golden. Repeat with remaining butter and bread, then serve hot with the caramel apricots.