Strawberry Cheesecake French Toast

Ingredients

• 1 cup mashed fresh strawberries
• 2.75 cups white sugar , divided
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1 cup milk
• 6 eggs
• 1 package cream cheese , 8 ounce
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 slices bread , cut in half diagonally
• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter
• 8 freshs strawberries , sliced
• 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting
• 1 cup whipped cream

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 100 degrees F ( 40 degrees C).

2. 2

   Heat mashed strawberries and 1/2 cup white sugar in a saucepan over medium heat.

3. 3

   Whisk water and cornstarch together in a bowl; stir into mashed strawberries. Cook and stir until thickened, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to low and simmer while preparing remaining ingredients, stirring occasionally.

4. 4

   Whisk milk and eggs together in a bowl; set aside.

5. 5

   Mash cream cheese, remaining 3/4 cup white sugar, and vanilla extract together in a bowl until smooth.

6. 6

   Spread some cream cheese mixture over 1 triangle-shaped piece of bread; top with another triangle-shaped pieced of bread to cover. Repeat with remaining bread and cream cheese mixture to make 8 triangle-shaped sandwiches.

7. 7

   Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.

8. 8

   Dip cream cheese-stuffed sandwiches into egg mixture, 2 or 3 at a time; place in the skillet. Cook until golden brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer French toast to a baking sheet and place in the preheated oven to keep warm while cooking remaining sandwiches.

9. 9

   Top French toast with warm strawberry glaze and sliced fresh strawberries; sprinkle with confectioners' sugar. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream.