Caramelized Stuffed Challah French Toast

1. In a small bowl, stir together the cream cheese, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, 1 teaspoon orange zest and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon until thoroughly combined.

2. Spread a generous tablespoon of the cream cheese filling on two of the slices of bread. Spread the filling to about 1/2-inch from the crusts so that it doesn’t ooze out the sides during cooking. Place the other two bread slices on top of the slices with cream cheese filling, sandwich-like.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, 1/4 cup maple syrup, vanilla, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Transfer the mixture to a shallow baking dish and place one cream cheese “sandwich” in the mixture. Press down gently to ensure it absorbs lots of custard. Turn over and repeat on the other side.

4. Meanwhile, lightly coat a griddle or skillet with cooking spray and heat it to medium. Transfer the custard-soaked “sandwich” to the griddle and cook for about 3-5 minutes on each side, until brown and caramelized.

5. Remove from griddle, slice in half and arrange on a plate with sliced bananas. Drizzle generously with pure maple syrup, dust with powdered sugar, and serve.

6. Repeat steps 2 and 3 with remaining “sandwich.”