Sunday Brunch: Dark Chocolate and Banana Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Anything stuffed is the right kind of breakfast or brunch for me. This stuffed French toast has all of the goodies a girl could ask for, chocolate, cream cheese and even to make it a little healthier, a little banana. The recipe for this week’s Sunday brunch is thanks to Six Sisters’ Stuff.  This recipe would even work for a yummy dessert, and don’t forget the ice cream. I am pretty sure it is mandatory.

Dark Chocolate and Banana Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Batter:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Filling:
1 1/2 cups cream cheese
1/4 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup medium-diced banana
1/8 cup orange juice
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water
3 cinnamon sticks
Butter, as needed

4 (2-inch thick) pieces challah bread if you can find it, or French or Italian Bread
Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, for serving, optional
Fresh berries, for serving, optional

Directions

Batter:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well until incorporated. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.

Filling:
Fold all ingredients together in a bowl until well incorporated but not completely smooth.

Syrup:
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and let reduce by 1/3.

French Toast:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Heat a large saute pan and then add butter. Dredge the bread in the batter and place in the pan. Cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 2 minutes. Remove from pan and let cool. Divide filling between 2 pieces of the bread top with the remaining 2 pieces of bread. Transfer french toast to oven and bake for 8 minutes.
Cut each French toast in half and serve with the cinnamon syrup and, if desired, a large scoop of vanilla ice cream and fresh berries or whipped cream or all three!