Cheese-filled French Toast With Strawberry Sauce

Total Time: 20 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 (8 ounce) package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup low-fat sour cream
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 (12 ounce) jar strawberry preserves, divided
• 1 tablespoon water
• 6 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 12 slices whole grain bread

Recipe

• 1 in a mixing bowl, whisk together the cream cheese, sour cream, vanilla, lemon juice & 1/4 cup of the preserves until well blended, then set aside.
• 2 in a microwave-safe bowl, combine remaining preserves & the tablespoon of water, then microwave on high for 30 seconds. stir & microwave for another 30 seconds or until melted, then set aside.
• 3 in a shallow dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, salt & cinnamon. dip bread slices into this egg mixture, then set them on a platter.
• 4 spread half of the slices with the cream cheese mixture, then top each spread slice with a slice of dipped bread, making 6 'sandwiches.'.
• 5 in a large skillet, heat 1/8 inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until oil is hot but not smoking. working in batches, transfer 'sandwiches' to the skillet & cook about 90 seconds or until lightly browned, then turn them over & cook another 60 seconds or until deep golden brown & slightly puffy.
• 6 remove the filled french toast & allow them to drain briefly on several layers of paper towels.
• 7 serve hot with the melted preserves.