Pistachio Cherry Cream Stuffed French Toast Recipe
Introduction
This Pistachio Cherry Cream Stuffed French Toast is a decadent twist on a breakfast classic. Filled with a creamy cherry and pistachio mixture, it’s perfect for a special weekend brunch or holiday morning treat.
Ingredients
- 1 Challah Bread
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 16 ounces Frozen Cherries
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Cherry Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
- 1/4 cup Pistachios
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 3 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1 pinch Salt
- Unsalted Butter, to taste
- Powdered Confectioners Sugar, to taste
- Maple Syrup, to taste
Instructions
- Step 1: In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, thawed frozen cherries, cherry juice, honey, a pinch of salt, and pistachios until evenly combined and the mixture turns a light violet hue.
- Step 2: Slice the challah bread into 8 slices. Carefully cut a pocket down the middle of each slice without cutting all the way through, then stuff each slice with a generous amount of the cherry cream filling.
- Step 3: Place the stuffed challah slices on a baking sheet and chill in the fridge or freezer for about 30 minutes to firm up.
- Step 4: Heat a heavy-duty skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. In a shallow dish, whisk together the milk, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Step 5: Dip each stuffed challah slice into the milk mixture, turning occasionally to soak up enough liquid, as the slices are thick.
- Step 6: Melt a pat of unsalted butter in the skillet and cook two pieces of soaked French toast at a time for 3 to 5 minutes on the first side until golden brown.
- Step 7: Flip the French toast and cook for another 3 minutes, then keep finished slices warm in a 250°F oven while cooking the rest.
- Step 8: Serve warm with a dusting of powdered sugar, a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, and plenty of maple syrup. Enjoy!
Tips & Variations
- For extra crunch, toast the pistachios lightly before mixing them into the filling.
- Use fresh cherries in season instead of frozen for a brighter flavor.
- Swap challah with brioche or thick-sliced white bread for a different texture.
- Add a splash of almond extract to the filling for a nutty aroma.
Storage
Store any leftover stuffed French toast covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or oven to keep the filling warm and bread crisp. It is best enjoyed fresh but can also be frozen before cooking for longer storage; thaw before cooking.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I prepare the stuffed French toast the night before?
Yes, you can prepare and stuff the challah slices the night before. Keep them covered in the refrigerator and soak and cook them fresh in the morning for best results.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
To make it dairy-free, substitute cream cheese with a plant-based cream cheese alternative and use non-dairy milk and cream like almond or oat milk. Butter can be replaced with a dairy-free margarine or oil.
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Pistachio Cherry Cream Stuffed French Toast Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Pistachio Cherry Cream Stuffed French Toast is a decadent twist on a breakfast classic. Cream cheese is blended with frozen cherries, honey, cherry juice, salt, and crunchy pistachios to create a luscious filling, then sandwiched inside thick slices of challah bread. After chilling, the stuffed bread is soaked in a rich cinnamon-vanilla custard and pan-fried to golden perfection. Served with powdered sugar, chopped pistachios, and maple syrup, this recipe offers a perfect balance of creamy, tart, nutty, and sweet flavors for an indulgent morning treat.
Ingredients
Filling
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese
- 16 ounces Frozen Cherry (thawed)
- 3 tablespoons Honey
- 2 tablespoons Cherry Juice
- 1 pinch Salt
- 1/4 cup Pistachios, chopped
Bread and Custard Mixture
- 1 Challah Bread
- 1 cup Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 3 Eggs
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Salt
For Cooking and Serving
- Unsalted Butter, to taste
- Powdered Confectioners Sugar, to taste
- Maple Syrup, to taste
- Additional chopped Pistachios, for garnishing
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, thawed frozen cherries, cherry juice, honey, a pinch of salt, and chopped pistachios. Mix thoroughly until the mixture becomes a light violet hue and the ingredients are evenly combined.
- Slice and stuff the bread: Cut the challah bread into 8 slices. Carefully slice each slice lengthwise down the middle to create a pocket without cutting all the way through. Generously stuff each pocket with the prepared cherry cream filling.
- Chill the stuffed bread: Place the stuffed challah slices on a baking sheet and refrigerate or freeze for about 30 minutes to allow the filling to firm up and set inside the bread.
- Prepare the custard mixture: In a shallow dish, whisk together milk, heavy cream, eggs, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, and salt until well combined.
- Soak the stuffed bread: Dip each stuffed challah slice into the custard mixture, turning occasionally to ensure the bread soaks up enough liquid. Given the thickness of the slices, allow ample soaking time for best results.
- Cook the French toast: Heat a heavy-duty skillet or griddle over medium-high heat. Melt a pat of unsalted butter in the skillet, spreading it around. Place two soaked slices in the skillet at a time and cook for 3 to 5 minutes on the first side until golden brown.
- Flip and finish cooking: Flip the slices and cook for an additional 3 minutes on the other side. Transfer cooked slices to a baking sheet and keep warm in a 250°F oven while you cook the remaining slices.
- Serve: Dust the finished French toast with powdered confectioners sugar, sprinkle with additional chopped pistachios, and serve with maple syrup. Enjoy your rich and indulgent Pistachio Cherry Cream Stuffed French Toast!
Notes
- Using challah bread adds a rich, slightly sweet flavor and sturdy texture ideal for stuffing and soaking custard.
- Chilling the stuffed bread helps keep the filling intact during soaking and cooking.
- Adjust soaking time to ensure the bread is well-saturated but not falling apart.
- If frozen cherries are unavailable, fresh or thawed frozen tart cherries can be used instead.
- For a nut-free variation, omit pistachios and substitute with additional cherries or a different nut like almonds, if not allergic.
- Keep cooked French toast warm in a low oven to serve all slices hot and fresh.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: French toast, stuffed French toast, pistachio, cherry, cream cheese, breakfast, brunch, stuffed challah, sweet breakfast
