Cherry Cheesecake French Toast

Ingredients

• 1 18-20 inch loaf French bread ((or two 10 inch))
• 1 8 oz block cream cheese (softened)
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (divided use)
• 8 large eggs (divided use)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract (divided use)
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 1 20 oz can premium cherry pie filling
• 2 cups whole milk or half and half
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp turbinado sugar (sugar in the raw)
• powdered sugar for dusting

Instructions

1. 1

   Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or slather with softened butter.

2. 2

   Divide French loaf evenly cutting in half. Cut each half into 8 or 9 one inch slices.(Depending on length of loaf) Center side by side in dish.

3. 3

   In a medium size mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to whip together cream cheese,1/3 cup granulated sugar, 2 eggs, 1 tsp vanilla and almond extracts. Beat until smooth.

4. 4

   Fold in cherry pie filling by hand. Separate slices of bread and stuff each evenly with the cherry cream cheese filling.

5. 5

   In a medium size mixing bowl, whisk together 6 eggs, milk, 1/3 cup sugar, salt, nutmeg and 1 tsp vanilla until fully combined.

6. 6

   Pour egg mixture evenly over bread, cover with plastic wrap and chill overnight.

7. 7

   Preheat oven to 350°F. Remove from fridge and sit on counter for 10-15 minutes to bring to room temperature. Remove plastic wrap and sprinkle the top with turbinado sugar.

8. 8

   Bake for 40-45 minutes or until puffed and golden. Check to see if egg custard is cooked through. If not, lay foil loosely on top and bake for 5 minutes longer.

9. 9

   Let stand for 5 minutes, then divide and serve dusted with powdered sugar.