Strawberry Stuffed French Toast

This is a really decadent breakfast!  I got the idea from an Atkins diet book but I wouldn’t personally suggest this for weight loss.  I tis a great Sunday morning treat though.

1 loaf thick bread - I like a french or Italian loaf
8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
3 tbsp strawberry jam
1/2 cup fresh strawberries
1/4 tsp cinnamon
1 cup milk
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp canola oil

• Heat oven to warm setting.  Line a baking sheet with foil; place in oven.  Coat loaf into 8 thick slices.  Make a pocket in each slice, taking care not to cut through to the opposite side.
• In a bowl, mix cream cheese and jam until blended.  Fold in berries and cinnamon.  Evenly dived mixture into bread pockets.
• Mix cream mixture, eggs, vanilla and salt in a shallow bowl.  Dip bread slices two at a time into mixture until saturated.  
• Heat 1 tbsp each butter and oil in a large nonstick skillet.  Cook slices in batches, 5 to 6 minutes per side, until golden brown.  Do not crowd skillet.  Add more butter and oil to skillet as needed. Transfer cooked slices to baking sheet to keep warm while cooking remaining slices.