Stuffed French Toast

• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 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
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• Butter, as needed
• 4 (2-inch thick) pieces challah bread
• Vanilla ice cream, for serving, optional
• Fresh berries, for serving, optional

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl, mixing well until incorporated.
2. Keep refrigerated until ready to use.
3. Filling:
4. Fold all ingredients together in a bowl until well incorporated but not completely smooth.
5. Syrup:
6. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
7. Stir until sugar dissolves.
8. Bring to a boil and let reduce by 1/3.
9. French Toast:
10. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
11. Heat a large saute pan and then add butter.
12. Dredge the bread in the batter and place in the pan.
13. Cook until golden brown on both sides, approximately 2 minutes.
14. Remove from pan and let cool.
15. Divide filling between 2 pieces of the bread top with the remaining 2 pieces of bread.
16. Transfer French toast to oven and bake for 8 minutes.
17. 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.

eggs, milk, sugar, ground cinnamon, vanilla, cream cheese, chocolate chips, banana, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, sugar, water, cinnamon sticks, butter, bread, vanilla ice cream, fresh berries

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/stuffed-french-toast-recipe.html (may not work)