Accidental Pumpkin Pie Stuffed French Toast

They say necessity is the mother of all invention, and that is definitely the case with this pumpkin pie stuffed french toast.  I got a call this morning that the flu had hit at my sister's house, so we were postponing Christmas at my Mom and Dad's - which meant I was now responsible for making breakfast for me and the hubby.  I wanted to make traditional french toast this morning, since its Christmas-y and really easy, but when I looked in the fridge I didn't have any maple syrup, so "normal" french toast was out since all of the grocery stores were closed.  I started rummaging and I did have canned pumpkin and some cream cheese, and that is how pumpkin pie stuffed french toast was born.   I was a little apprehensive if it would really taste like pumpkin pie and if it would be sweet enough, especially since I didn't have any syrup to fall back on, but it got two enthusiastic thumbs up from the hubby! 

In hindsight I should have cut the toast open so you can see the yummy filling inside - but I was trying to snap a pic before the hubby took a bite! 

What you'll need for 2 servings - FYI this recipe easily multiplies:

•  4 slices of bread
• 1/4 C canned pumpkin
• 1/4 C cream cheese (I used reduced fat, but any kind would work fine
• 3 T brown sugar
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of nutmeg
• 2 T butter
• 2 eggs
• splash of milk
• powdered sugar (optional)

Mix together the pumpkin, cream cheese, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg together with a fork until the lumps disappear to form the filling mixture.  Lay out your slices of bread and spread 1/4 of the filling mixture on one side of each piece of bread.  Put the sides with the filling on them together to form a "sandwich".  In a large bowl crack the two eggs, splash in a little milk, and stir with a fork until combined.  Dip the "sandwiches" into the egg and milk mixture coating all sides.  In a skillet (or in my case I used my griddler) melt the butter over medium heat and place the sandwiches in the pan once the butter starts to brown just a little.  Cook on one side until its golden, then flip and continue cooking until the other side is golden.  When the toast is ready, put on a plate and sprinkle with powdered sugar.  Enjoy!!

-Meg