Ingredients
For the Cheesecake Filling:
8 oz cream cheese, softened: Full-fat yields richest mouthfeel, room-temp (1 hour counter) beats airy lump-free; Neufchâtel lightens 10% less fat.
¼ cup powdered sugar: Sifts grainless sweetening, thickens filling spreadable—no granulated grit no-bake.
½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Pure rounds tang “cheesecake,” almond subs nutty riff.
For Assembly:
8 slices brioche or white sandwich bread: Thick-cut brioche/challah custards best sturdy-rich; Texas toast seals filling, standard softens panini-press.
½ cup strawberry jam or fresh sliced strawberries: Jam spreads even stays-put; 1 pint hulled/quartered berries +1 tsp sugar macerates juicier 10 minutes.
For Coating:
2 large eggs: Room-temp binds golden shell, custardy interior.
¼ cup milk: Whole/2% thins dip soakable; almond/oat dairy-free neutral.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Doubles flavor bridge filling-crust.
½ teaspoon cinnamon (optional): Warms breakfast-style; cardamom/nutmeg holiday tweaks.
For Frying:
Butter or oil: 2-3 tbsp salted butter foams flavor-browning; neutral oil/canola raises smoke non-dairy.
For Serving:
Powdered sugar dusting: Sifts snowy finish, 2 tbsp yields bakery shimmer.
Whipped cream/ice cream: Aerosol crowns quick, homemade stabilizes; vanilla scoops melt-in pools.
Instructions
Make the Cheesecake Filling:
Medium bowl, hand mixer medium-high, beat softened cream cheese 1 minute fluffy—scrape sides. Add powdered sugar + ½ tsp vanilla, beat 1-2 minutes glossy spreadable—no lumps vital silky bite. Cover plastic, fridge 10 minutes optional firms assembly; yields ~1 cup fills 4 sandwiches generous.
Assemble the Sandwiches:
Lay 8 bread slices cutting board; spread 4 slices ~2 tbsp cheesecake filling edge-to-edge uniform. Top 4 slices ~1 tbsp jam center or layer 4-5 macerated strawberry slices—avoid edges prevents squeeze-out. Press filled + jam slices firm sandwich—crusts seal natural, trim knife optional neat squares finger-food. 4 sandwiches ready; press gently reshape squares if puffed.
Make the Egg Coating:
Shallow bowl/pie plate, whisk eggs + milk + 1 tsp vanilla + cinnamon vigorous 30 seconds frothy—even coating no lumps. Set aside; whisk pauses prevents settling.
Fry the Sandwiches:
Nonstick skillet medium, melt 1 tbsp butter/oil foamy-shimmer (not smoke)—add more per batch. Dip 1-2 sandwiches egg mixture 5 seconds/side, excess drip (thick coating sogs). Place skillet, fry 2-3 minutes/side golden-crisp—edges bubble, filling warms visible (peek flip). Wide spatula flip gentle preserves fill; low-medium prevents burn before interior heats. Drain paper towels rack.
Serve Warm:
Immediate powdered sugar heavy sift snowy; slice diagonal reveals layers photogenic. Solo breakfast, whipped cream dollops brunch, vanilla ice cream scoops dessert—warmth melts toppings pools. Fresh berries/mint garnish elevates.