Banana Walnut Stuffed French Toast

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 ounces low-fat cream cheese, soften
• 2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup walnuts, rough chopped
• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 2 bananas, peeled and sliced
• 1/3 cup nonfat milk
• 2 large eggs
• 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 pinch salt (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8 slices cinnamon-swirl bread
• vegetable oil, for frying

Recipe

• 1 cream cheese filling:.
• 2 combine the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla extract in the mixer bowl. beat until smooth; set aside.
• 3 banana and walnut topping:.
• 4 dry toast the walnuts in a small pot for 2 minutes. carefully add syrup to nuts bring to a light boil, add half and half stir to combine. add bananas. keep warm over low flame.
• 5 french toast:.
• 6 in a wide dish, combine the milk, eggs, lemon zest, salt, and vanilla extract. beat with a fork until well blended. pour enough vegetable oil into a large skillet to cover by 1/8 inch. dip the bread slices into the egg mixture, and moisten thoroughly on both sides. add several bread slices to skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on one side or until deep golden brown. flip; continue cooking on other side until deep golden brown and slightly puffy throughout, 2 to 3 minutes. transfer bread slices to paper towels to remove excess oil. place in a warm oven while preparing remaining slices. repeat with remaining bread slices, adding more oil if necessary. cover half of the slices of toast with 1/4 of the cream cheese filling. place the remaining slices on top of the cream cheese-covered ones, forming sandwiches. cut on an angle. pour warm banana walnut topping over toast.