Bacon-Crusted Fruit-Stuffed French Toast

Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 14 min
Servings: 2
Yield: 2 servings

Description

Bacon-crusted French toast stuffed with a cream cheese and fruit mixture makes a decadent brunch dish that's crunchy, salty, and sweet.

Ingredients

4 slices bacon
1/2 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
2 tablespoons white sugar
4 strawberries, diced, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
4 slices bread
3 eggs
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 dash ground nutmeg
1 dash salt
2 tablespoons butter
1 sprig mint leaves, slivered

Directions

1 Place bacon slices in a large skillet and cook over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer bacon slices to paper towels; dice. Reserve bacon grease.
2 Blend cream cheese, 2 tablespoons butter, and sugar in a separate bowl. Fold strawberries and lemon juice into the filling.
3 Divide filling between 2 slices of bread, spreading it out to the edges. Cover with remaining 2 slices of bread. Press sandwiches lightly together.
4 Mix eggs, coconut milk, vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, and salt in a shallow bowl to make egg wash.
5 Melt 1 1/2 teaspoon reserved bacon grease and 1 1/2 teaspoon butter in a nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle half the diced bacon evenly in the skillet. Dip 1 side of each sandwich in the egg wash. Place on top of the bacon in the skillet; cook until eggs are set and slightly browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
6 Melt remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon bacon grease and 1 1/2 teaspoon butter in the skillet. Sprinkle remaining diced bacon in the skillet. Dip the second side of each sandwich in egg wash and return to the skillet; cook until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
7 Cut sandwiches in half and garnish with mint.