Name: Tsoureki french toast sandwich with cream cheese and jam
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 10 min
Ingredients: 2 slices tsoureki (See Recipe Note); 2 tbsp cream cheese; 1 tbsp jam; 1 egg; 1 tbsp milk; ¼ tsp cinnamon; ¼ tsp salt; 1 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp sugar; ½ tbsp cinnamon

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Turn leftover Greek Easter bread, tsoureki, into a French toast sandwich filled with a thick layer of cream cheese and your favourite jam. After being dipped in egg the sandwich is fried in butter until golden and is then coated with cinnamon sugar. An amazing breakfast, or treat any time of day.

Tsoureki french toast plated on a white plate, with lots of fresh berries.

Growing up in a Greek family Easter (Pascha) was always the most important holiday of the year. The preparation in the weeks leading up to Pascha, as well as the celebration the day of, was always a big deal. Part of the preparation leading up to Pascha included baking Lazarakia buns (Greek Easter Lazarus breads), Koulourakia (Κουλουράκια) and of course making loaves and loaves of Tsoureki (Τσουρέκι), the traditional sweet Greek Easter bread.

These traditions continue to this day and Orthodox Easter remains our most anticipated time of year. And, as always, no matter how much we eat on Easter Sunday, and we eat A LOT, there is always a ton of leftovers. That is the reason why I am always looking for new and creative ways to use tsoureki bread that is perhaps past its prime and not as soft and fluffy as it is in the first few days after being made. In the past I have made Tsoureki and feta grilled cheese, amazing Tsoureki French Toast and I have dried slices up for them to keep a really long time as Tsoureki Paximadia or Tsoureki Biscotti.

I have now come up with what might be a new favourite in my home – a tsoureki French toast sandwich filled with cream cheese and jam. You will love it, and how easy it is to make!

Tsoureki French toast sandwich with cream cheese and jam, on a white plate, and fresh berries on the plate.

Key ingredients

Tsoureki I use tsoureki to make this recipe and tend to use pieces from a loaf that is at least 3 days old. At this point my tsoureki is a little drier, and it holds up better to being manipulated and fried. This is because my tsoureki recipe really gives the fluffiest and softest loaf. Other recipes, or store-bought versions may be denser and can be used at any time.

Ingredients for Tsoureki French toast sandwich with cream cheese and jam; ingredients include: Tsoureki, milk, egg, cream cheese, jam, cinnamon, salt butter and cinnamon sugar

Cream cheese I usually use plain cream cheese but you can also use low fat. I like to bring my cream cheese to room temperature before using it to make it a bit easier, but this is not necessary. I also like to layer on a thick layer so that I really taste the cream cheese.

Jam Any flavour jam will work here. I tend to turn to strawberry jam because that is my favourite, but any flavour will work really well.

Egg A large egg is used to coat the sandwich. The egg creates a nice “crust” on the bread when it is fried.

Milk I like to thin the beaten egg out with some milk. This helps to moisten the bread and it fries up nicely, without drying out.

Butter I use unsalted butter to fry my tsoureki French toast for the added flavour. I use unsalted butter, but if you only have salted butter then that is fine too.

Cinnamon I use cinnamon in the egg and milk mixture and I also coat my sandwich with cinnamon sugar.

Sugar I use white granulated sugar, along with cinnamon, to coat my sandwich after it is fried. This adds sweetness, cinnamon goodness, and texture. You also don’t need to add any maple syrup because the cinnamon sugar is sweet enough.

Learn to make it

Making this recipe is super easy, and takes less then 10 minutes from start to finish. This is great because you can make this as a special breakfast even on busy mornings.

Step 1
Slice your tsoureki and spread cream cheese and then jam on one side of one of the pieces of tsoureki. Then place the second piece on top of your piece with the cream cheese and jam to make a sandwich.

Tsoureki slice spread with cream cheese and jam.

Step 2
In a shallow bowl whisk together the egg, milk, cinnamon and a bit of salt. Place your sandwich in your egg mixture and coat it on all sides.

Egg and milk mixture, in a yellow flowery bowl.

Coating the tsoureki slices with egg and milk mixture.

Step 3
Fry your sandwich in a skillet with melted butter. Fry until both sides are golden brown.

Step 4
While your sandwich is cooking, make your cinnamon sugar by mixing together your sugar and cinnamon. Then, when your sandwich is ready transfer it to a plate with your cinnamon sugar and coat it on both sides.

Adding cinnamon sugar to the tsoureki french toast

Recipe substitutions

If you don’t have tsoureki (you should made some!) you can use another sweet bread instead. Challah would be a really good choice.

You can use any flavour jam, or jelly that you like. In fact, even orange marmalade would work well.

If you would rather not fry your French toast in butter then you can use some cooking spray.

Helpful hints

When you are layering on your cream cheese and jam you want to make sure that you coat the entire surface of your bread. You want to taste the beautiful flavours with every bite.

Prepare your egg mixture in a shallow bowl so that you can easily dip your sandwich into it. When you prepare your cinnamon sugar place that in a shallow bowl as well (or a plate) so that it is easy to coat both sides of your sandwhich.

When frying my French toast sandwich I like to press down on it with my spatula. I do not try to flatten it completely, but I do want to make sure that my sandwich holds together.

Serve your sandwich immediately after cooking it so that the cream cheese stays warm and creamy.

Recipe variations

Instead of coating your tsoureki French toast in cinnamon sugar you can serve it with maple syrup, honey, or even plain.

Use ricotta cheese or soft Greek mizithra cheese instead of cream cheese for a milder flavour.

For a lighter version of these flavour combinations you can toast your slices of tsoureki and then spread cream cheese and jam on one of them and make a sandwich.

Serving size

This recipe makes one sandwich which is generally enough for one person.

Tsoureki French toast sandwich with cream cheese and jam, on a white plate, and fresh berries on the plate. Here the tsoureki is cut in two, showing you the inside.

How to serve

I like to pair this with a bowl of fresh berries and a cup of Greek coffee.

I have so many creative ways to use leftover tsoureki. Here are a few other ways to consider:

Tsoureki bread pudding I love this for a special brunch. It looks really impressive, yet it is so easy.

Banana and chocolate tsoureki french toast Who doesn’t love chocolate and banana! Add the tsoureki and you have a winner recipe!

Tsoureki and feta grilled cheese A Mia Kouppa original! I am in love with this recipe and make it almost every day after Easter. When my tsoureki runs out, I am really, really sad.