CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300F (150C).
• Butter a baking sheet.
• Cut bread into 8 equal slices about 1 inch thick.
• Mash the cream cheese with 1 tbsp sugar and almond extract in a medium bowl.
• Stir in the cranberries and taste.
• Add more sugar if the flavor is too tart.
• The mixture should be thick and chunky.
• In a shallow dish or bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, 1 tbsp sugar, vanilla, and salt.
• With a serrated knife, cut a pocket into the side of each piece of bread, carefully slicing into but not through the bread.
• Spoon equal portions of the filling into each slice.
• Dunk the stuffed bread slices into the egg mixture and soak for several minutes, turning if needed to coat evenly, until saturated but short of falling apart.
• Warm 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp oil together on a griddle or in a large heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Briefly cook the French toast in batches until golden brown and lightly crisp, turning once.
• Place the first slices on the baking sheet and keep them warm in the oven.
• Continue cooking the remaining slices, adding more butter and oil as needed.
• When all of the French toast is ready, dust it with confectioners' sugar, sprinkling it through a strainer.
• Serve immediately with maple syrup.