Ever notice how breakfast tastes better on a weekend morning?
I’m not much of a breakfast-eater during the week (unless it comes in a mug), but on Saturday mornings I’m in the mood for something decadent — not your ordinary breakfast fare.
The solution to my craving was Strawberries & Cream Stuffed French Toast.
Filled with ripe strawberries, sweetened mascarpone and cream cheeses, and a hint of spice, it elevated plain ol’ French Toast into something extraordinary. Plus, it was quick to make.
Unless, of course, your local grocer happens to be out of Mascarpone cheese… in which case, you start the night before.
(Feel free to skip ahead to the French Toast recipe if you have Mascarpone on hand!)
Homemade Mascarpone Cheese
(Adapted from two tarts’ recipe on Tasty Kitchen)
1 c. heavy cream
1/4 t. confectioners’ sugar
1/2 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
Whisk together cream and confectioners’ sugar in a double boiler over simmering (not boiling) water. Using a wooden spoon, stir until it reaches 180° F. Add lemon juice and stir 5 minutes more; remove from heat.
Set top part of double boiler on a pot holder; let stand undisturbed for 20 minutes.
In the meantime, place a fine mesh sieve over a large bowl; line sieve with cheesecloth. (In a pinch, use a coffee filter — same principle.)
Slowly pour the cream mixture into the sieve; let stand 20 minutes or until cool enough to refrigerate. Wrap sieve (bowl and all) in plastic wrap; chill overnight.
In the morning, scrape the fresh Mascarpone cheese from the filter (it doesn’t stick) and discard the liquid in the bowl.
Prepare to be amazed…
I’ll never lack for Mascarpone cheese again. Or stuffed French Toast…
Strawberries & Cream Stuffed French Toast
6 slices French bread, approximately 2″ wide each
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
4 oz. Mascarpone cheese, softened (homemade or store-bought)
1 Tbsp. confectioners’ sugar, plus additional for serving
1 pint ripe strawberries (reserve some for garnish)
1 c. milk
3 eggs
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/4 t. freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. butter, divided
Create a “pocket” in each slice of bread by slicing through the middle without cutting through the crust; set aside.
Mix together softened cheeses and confectioners’ sugar until well blended.
Rinse and hull strawberries; pat dry. Slice berries into 1/4″ slices.
Spread a generous portion of cheese mixture in each French bread “pocket.” Layer with sliced strawberries; set aside.
In a shallow dish, whisk together eggs, milk, sugar, spices, and salt.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter on a griddle over medium heat.
Meanwhile, dip each stuffed French toast into egg batter, covering both sides; drain slightly.
Fry three pieces at a time. When underside is golden brown, flip over and fry until golden on both sides. Keep warm in a 250 oven until remaining pieces are cooked. (Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to griddle before frying the rest.)
Serve with a dusting of confectioners’ sugar; garnish with whole strawberries.
This weekend, treat your family (or yourself) to breakfast — you’ll be glad you did!
Enjoying a slice of Stuffed French Toast (okay, two…),
~ Kimby
a little lunch 
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Oh. My. This looks amazing. Your blog makes me hungry ;) (I am not craving taco salad by the way haha!)
I see all the wonderful recipes on my food friends’ blogs and start craving it, too, Christy! (Classic “See Food” Diet syndrome…) Headed to YOUR blog now for some food for thought! :)
~ Kim
I will have to try this. It looks so easy. Thanks:)
I hope you enjoy it! Can’t wait for more posts on your new blog — your Broccoli Salad looked incredible. (I loved that you included the “refrigerator” shot — now THAT’s a thorough step-by-step!) :)
~ Kim
I know what you mean about breakfast. I never eat breakfast during the week (I know I should) but on the weekend everyone is relaxed and really enjoys a nice breakfast. It’s how life should be. :)
Stuffed French Toast – home made mascarpone.. too good.
Absolutely! Those moments don’t happen unless you make them happen (in a relaxed way, of course!) and I enjoy them tremendously. Thanks for stopping by!
~ Kim
Who knew you could make mascarpone??? Great tip. Thanks so much!
You’re welcome, Rivki! I’m looking forward to trying your turnips — WITH greens — YUM!
~ Kim
Kim, you will not believe that I made this same dish last week when a couple of girlfriends were over! Of course yours was more “jazzy” in every way. You are too much girl!
Tamika, I bet your girlfriends loved it, “jazzy” or not! Thank goodness my hubby is the patient type — he gets a kick out of my food photography attempts (while he’s waiting to EAT!) and says that I’m his garnish. :)
~ Kim
“I’m his garnish. :)”……………absolutely LOVE it!!! That is too cute. We did thoroughly enjoy it.
I picture you two laughing and loving each other the way we do. With Curly Cutie as YOUR garnish! :)
~ Kim
OHHH homemade?! Love it! Will be trying that soon since marscapone is SO expensive. Thanks for posting!
Thank YOU for visiting! Let me know how it turns out!
~ Kim
Thanks for stopping by my blog & commenting, Kim! Your blog & photography are so beautiful :) Believe it or not, I have a post on homemade Mascarpone sitting in my computer that I was planning to post next week. I love homemade Mascarpone :) Yours looks so lovely & creamy & the sandwich looks so delicious! Thanks for sharing :)
There’s no such thing as too much Mascarpone cheese — looking forward to your post, Marsha! Thanks for visiting!
With such beautiful scenery around you, it’s more than a fair trade-off to have a limited grocery selection! That French Toast looks like it is worthy of a soirée!
Glad you enjoyed it, Diana! Thanks for stopping by!
~ Kim
That looks amazing! I am a weekend/vacation breakfast person myself. I’ll have to add this to the repertoire!
You won’t regret it! Even my hubby (the Man of Few Words) described it as: “Very tasty.” (!!!) Thanks, Amber!
~ Kim
Wow! This looks fantastic! I am going to try this….I have berries coming out my ears :) Have a good weekend!
Thanks, Heather — you have a good weekend, too! Yay for the abundance of berries! (Can ya hear me now?) :)
~ Kim
wow, I love Mascarpone so much! Breakfast sitting on the back porch relaxing with a good cup of coffee. Life IS good :)
Aaaahhhh… yes, indeed!
~ Kim