Cinnamon Cream Cheese Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients:

1 tub (8 ounces) whipped cream cheese
1 tablespoon brown sugar
3 teaspoons McCormick® Cinnamon, Ground, divided
1 1/2 teaspoons McCormick® Pure Vanilla Extract, divided
16 slices Italian bread (1/2-inch thick)
1/2 cup apricot preserves or jam
5 eggs
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons butter, divided

Directions:

1. Mix cream cheese, brown sugar, 2 teaspoons of the cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of the vanilla in small bowl until well blended. Spread 2 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture on each of 8 slices of bread. Spread 1 tablespoon of preserves on each of the remaining 8 slices of bread. Press one each of the bread slices together to form 8 sandwiches.

2. Beat eggs with wire whisk in 13x9-inch baking dish. Stir in milk, remaining 1 teaspoon cinnamon and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until well blended. Dip sandwiches in egg mixture, soaking for 2 minutes on each side.

3. Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in large nonstick skillet or griddle on medium-low heat. Place 4 of the sandwiches in skillet. Cook 4 to 5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Repeat with remaining sandwiches, melting remaining tablespoon butter in skillet. Serve French toast with maple syrup, if desired.

Recipe shared from: http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Breakfast-Brunch/Stuffed-French-Toast.aspx