Apple Cream Cheese-Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 4 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 5 baking apples, about 2 1/4 pounds (peeled, cored and cut into 1/8- to 1/4-inch thick slices)
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup whole milk
• 4 large eggs
• 1 loaf brioche bread or soft French bread, cut into eight 3/4-inch thick slices
• 1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans, plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Directions

1. 1

   In medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, 1/2 t cinnamon and the ginger until combined well; set aside.

2. 2

   In large bowl, toss together apples, granulated sugar and 1 t cinnamon.

3. 3

   In a large nonstick skillet, melt 4 T butter over high heat.

4. 4

   Add apple mixture and cook, stirring occasionally, until just softened, about 8 minutes.

5. 5

   Remove from heat.

6. 6

   In a 13-by-9-inch shallow dish, whisk together milk, eggs, and remaining 1/2 t cinnamon; set aside.

7. 7

   Spread a heaping 1/4 cup cream-cheese mixture onto each of 4 bread slices.

8. 8

   Top each with 2 T nuts and 6-8 apple slices.

9. 9

   Cover with remaining 4 bread slices to make sandwiches.

10. 10

    Soak 2 sandwiches at a time in milk-egg mixture 5 minutes per side.

11. 11

    Add maple syrup to remaining apples in skillet and stir to combine.

12. 12

    Heat a griddle or large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.

13. 13

    Add 1 T oil and 1 T butter to pan.

14. 14

    Add 2 sandwiches and cook, turning once, until golden brown, 6-8 minutes.

15. 15

    Repeat with remaining 1 T oil, 1 T butter and the sandwiches.

16. 16

    Cut sandwiches in half and serve immediately topped with apples in syrup.

17. 17

    Garnish with toasted nuts, if desired.