Thick challah bread slices filled with rich and creamy cranberry cheesecake filling baked and drizzled with Nutella hazelnut spread! The ultimate indulgence!
Let Nutella amplify your dishes this holiday season! It can turn a simple moment into a special memory, like with this Cranberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast Bake.
What is Nutella?
Nutella® hazelnut spread is a delicious combination of roasted hazelnuts and yummy cocoa that adds irresistible joy to a variety of foods. It can turn a simple moment into a special memory, like with this Cranberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast Bake.
This French toast bake is a recipe that my family loves during the holidays. And adding a little on top made the recipe even better!
What is a French toast bake?
A French toast bake is essentially French toast, which is made of sliced bread soaked in beaten eggs and typically milk or cream, then baked in a casserole dish.
French toast is such a great recipe! This Banana Bread French Toast and Egg Nog French Toast with Candied Walnuts, both make a great breakfast. And stuffing them with a rich filling makes this Cranberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast Bake and other stuffed French toast recipes like my Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed Baked French Toast irresistible!
How is this Cranberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast Bake put together?
To make this stuffed French toast, start with making the filling. Cook fresh cranberries with sugar until you have a compote. Cool the compote and mix it into cream cheese and powdered sugar.
Spread the cheesecake filling between several slices of day old challah bread. You don’t want to use fresh bread because it won’t hold up after soaking it in the egg mixture.
Place the stuffed bread slices into a buttered casserole dish, then pour a mixture of eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and spices over the bread. Bake the casserole, then drizzle with Nutella.
This is the perfect holiday breakfast!
Nutella recipe contest:
This holiday season, Nutella is bringing to you a recipe contest!
Share your Holiday recipe featuring Nutella with the #NutellaNonnaContest and tag @Nutella for a chance to win a trip to Italy and one of 200+ weekly prizes! And, for every entry, Nutella will donate $1 to @GensUnited.
So, get your entries in to win!
Commonly Asked Questions:
Can you make the Cranberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast Bake ahead of time?
This French toast bake can be made at least 12-16 hours ahead of time, and placed into the refrigerator. When ready to bake, remove from the refrigerator then bake as normal.
Can you freeze this French toast bake?
To freeze, you would have to freeze the stuffed bread before adding it to the casserole and pouring on the custard. Make the sandwiches, wrap them individually in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer size bag. When ready to serve, thaw the sandwiches on the counter for at least 30 minutes, then add them to the casserole dish and continue with the recipe.
Can you reheat the French Toast bake?
This dish can be reheated by reheating it in the microwave, or in the oven at 350° F, covered, until warm.
Looking for other French toast recipes? Here are a few ideas:
Blueberry Cheesecake Stuffed Baked French Toast
Egg Nog French Toast with Candied Walnuts
Cranberry Cheesecake Stuffed French Toast Bake with Nutella
Ingredients
Cheesecake Filling
- 1/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
- 1 tbsp granulated sugar
- 2 tsp water
- 1 8 oz bar cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
French Toast
- 1 loaf Challah or brioche bread
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
Cheesecake Filling
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- Powdered sugar for dusting
- Maple syrup for serving
- 1 tbsp Nutella (1 tbsp per serving)
Instructions
Cheesecake Filling
- In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar and water. Cook for 5-10 minutes, until the cranberries start to burst. Cool, completely.Add softened cream cheese and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until fluffy. Lightly stir in 3-4 tablespoons of the cranberries jam. Set aside.
French Toast Bake
- Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Add the melted butter to a 2-3 quart baking dish. Cut challah bread into one inch slices. Spread the cheesecake mixture onto one slice of the bread and top with a second slice. Repeat with the remaining slices and arrange them in the baking dish. In a bowl, mix the eggs, milk, heavy cream, vanilla, and spices. Pour the egg custard over all of the bread making sure that each piece is covered. Let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to soak up the mixture. Add the 1/2 cup of cranberries to the top. Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until the bread is slightly browned. Remove from the oven. Drizzle each serving with 1 tablespoon of Nutella and serve with maple syrup if desired.
