Apricot-Stuffed French Toast

Ingredients

• 0.3 cup apricot halves dried chopped
• 8 ounce cream cheese softened
• 4 large eggs 
• 1.5 cups half-and-half 
• 16 ounce bread italian
• 2 tablespoons sugar 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Equipment

• frying pan
• whisk
• hand mixer

Directions

1. Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
2. Cut ends from bread.
3. Cut bread into 6 slices; cut a pocket through top crust of each slice. Stuff each slice evenly with cream cheese mixture; place in a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch dish.
4. Whisk together eggs, half-and-half, and vanilla; pour mixture over bread slices. Cover and chill 30 minutes, turning once.
5. Cook bread slices on a lightly greased griddle over medium-high heat 3 minutes on all 4 sides or until golden.
6. Serve with Apricot Syrup, if desired.