Challah bread stuffed with a sweet mixture of Mascarpone and Nutella dipped in an egg bath and pan cooked into a fluffy french toast. This dish is perfect for a special breakfast to celebrate Mom, Dad or someone’s birthday. And once this heavenly concoction is turned into a fluffy pillow of french toast all that is needed is a dusting of confectioner’s sugar and fresh berries. What could possibly make for a prettier presentation than fresh strawberries or raspberries paired with this creamy chocolate delight.
Yes, I know this is quite indulgent and not exactly waistline friendly. But now and then, we all need to celebrate the good things in our lives. And what better way to celebrate someone you love with chocolate and fresh berries. My mantra is to have a little of something that tastes like a lot. Life is too short to not be able to enjoy special celebrations. Rather than have none, I would rather have half and be accountable. So, whip up a batch of these for someone you love, count your blessings and count your calories or points.
The Filling
While Nutella needs no introduction, it is a sweet creamy confection of ground hazelnuts, chocolate and sugar….sounds good so far! And Mascarpone is Italy’s version of cream cheese. It has a smooth creamy texture and is slightly sweeter in taste than cream cheese. The first time I brought home mascarpone, my husband tasted it and asked, “Where has this been all my life?” Mascarpone’s sweet buttery finish is due to the fact that it is higher in fat content. If you prefer, mascarpone may be substituted with cream cheese. The Nutella combined with the mascarpone creates a wonderful creamy filling for stuffed french toast.
The Bread
Challah is the bread of choice for this recipe resulting in French Toast that is light and fluffy. There are two ways you can approach filling the bread with the Nutella-Mascarpone filling.
- By cutting two thinner slices of bread, spreading the filling in the center and sandwich them together. Followed by a dip in the egg mixture. I find this the least favorable approach. As the French Toast cooks, the mascarpone filling softens and becomes slippery resulting in French toast that slides away from itself. If you choose this option, spread the cheese mixture only on one slice of bread and then top with another slice.
- My preferred method is cutting a thicker slice of bread. If you would, imagine a slice of bread that is the thickness of two slices in one. With the edge of a sharp paring knife, make a slice in the center of the bread, creating a pocket. Continue this slice to the edges and partially up the sides. But leave the bottom edge attached. Now when the bread is cooked, it will not be able to slide around on itself. Additionally, you will find it easier to slightly pull up the top slice of bread and spread the filling with an offset spatula.
The Finish
All that is left to do is give these babies a dunk in egg wash and saute in a non-stick skillet.
Kiss with a dusting of confectioner’s sugar and serve with some pretty sliced strawberries or a scattering of raspberries.
A full serving made from 2.5 ounces of bread (two halves as pictured) is 12 WW Smart Points. (Uggghh!)
But like I said, life is too short. I will opt in on this dish but with a half serving (one half of pictured above) with lots of strawberries and an egg on the side, for 6 WW Smart Points.
One full serving as pictured above (a full 2.5 ounce slice of bread stuffed) is 603 calories. A half-serving (1 wedge) is 301 calories.
Buon Appetito!
