I adore Neufchâtel cream cheese because it is lighter than regular cream cheese due to it’s higher moisture content and less fat…thirty-three percent less fat to be exact! You won’t miss the fat when you taste it. A great substitute for regular cream cheese, you will find it in my refrigerator most of the time.

One-Day Old Portuguese Sweet Bread made in a loaf pan or Challah bread

1/2 cup of orange marmalade

1/2 c. cherries, pitted and chopped

1 pkg. Neufchâtel cream cheese, softened

Zest of two oranges, divided in half

1 tsp. almond extract

1 c. half and half

2 tbsp. agave nectar or honey

3 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Pinch of salt

Make your filling by whipping the Neufchâtel for about 2 minutes. Add orange marmalade, cherries and half of your orange zest.

In another bowl, whisk together the half and half, agave nectar, eggs, almond extract, half of your orange zest and cinnamon.

Cut Sweet or Challah Bread into slices one-inch thick. Make a sandwich with two slices of sweet bread and the cream cheese fruit filling in the middle.

Soak your sandwich in the custard. butter in a pan and cook the French Toast until browned on both sides.

Cover in pure maple syrup and homemade whipped cream.

Variations: Try stuffing your French Toast with bananas and topping with candied pecans. Strawberry Banana is always a good combination, too. You can make a quick compote by cooking your strawberries, fresh or frozen, with a little raw honey, orange zest and a little orange juice. Serve over top with homemade whipped cream