Ingredients
Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons strawberry preserves
1 tablespoon orange zest
French Toast:
4 eggs
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier )
8 slices french bread cut 1″ thick
Butter
1 recipe Strawberry Cream Cheese Sauce, recipe follows
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, strawberry preserves, and orange zest until smooth. Set aside.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and orange liqueur. Pour into a shallow bowl, such as a pie plate. Set aside.
With a pairing knife, slice a pocket into the side of the bread. Do not cut all of the way through the bread. Fill bread slices with a heaping spoonful of cream cheese mixture.
In a skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Dip the filled bread in the egg mixture and place in the skillet to brown on both sides, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Repeat with remaining slices.
Serve hot with additional Strawberry Cream Cheese on the side.
Strawberry Cream Cheese Sauce:
1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed
1 pint sour cream
2 tablespoons orange liqueur (recommended: Grand Marnier)
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon honey
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse to combine.