By Cynthia Smith

Do you love French Toast? You only think you do! Just wait until you this version with delicious cream cheese filling!

Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup of evaporated milk
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 3 slightly beaten eggs
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1 8-ounce French bread baguette cut into 18 slices about 3/4 inches thick
• 2 Tbsp. cooking oil
• Cream Cheese Filling
• Syrup

Cream Cheese Filling:

• 1 8-oz. package of softened cream cheese
• 1/4 of a thawed 8-oz. container of frozen whipped dessert topping
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 Tbsp. sour cream

Directions:

In a small saucepan, heat the evaporated milk, milk and butter just until the butter melts. In a medium bowl, combine the eggs, sugar, vanilla and warm milk mixture before pouring into a shallow baking dish. Place the bread slices in the egg mixture, turning to coat both sides. Let stand for about 5 minutes or until completely soaked.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add several bread slices and cook for 2 to three minutes on each side or until golden in color. Keep warm in a 300 degree F oven. Repeat with the remaining bread.

To freeze, place the toast on a baking sheet and freeze until just firm. Place in a freezer container and freeze for up to 3 months.

To reheat, place the frozen slices in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake uncovered in a 400 degree F oven for 10 minutes. In the meantime, prepare the cream cheese filling.

To make the cream cheese filling, combine the cream cheese, whipped dessert topping, sugar and sour cream in a food processor or large bowl and mix thoroughly. With one slice of toast, spread about 1 heaping tablespoon of the Cream Cheese Filling and top with another slice. Serve with syrup if desired.

Holiday French Toast yields 9 servings.