Ingredients

• 3 tablespoon light brown sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoon butter
• 5 tablespoon plus ½ cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• ¼ cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon applejack or brandy
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon ground mace
• 4 ¾ inch slices challah or brioche
• 2 teaspoon lemon juice
• Fresh mint sprigs (optional)

Directions

• Directions
• Make cream cheese spread: In food processor fitted with chopping blade process cream cheese, 2 apple quarters, 2 teaspoon walnuts and the brown sugar until pureed. Refrigerate until ready to use on the toast.
• Make walnut brittle: In small saucepan melt ½ tablespoon butter over low heat. Stir in 2 tablespoon walnuts and 5 tablespoons sugar. Cook, stirring constantly until sugar caramelizes or turns golden brown about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately pour mixture onto lightly greased baking sheet. Let cool completely. Break into pieces when cool.
• Make French toast: Heat oven to 350F. In medium bowl, combine eggs, ½ cup heavy cream, the applejack, nutmeg, cinnamon, mace and remaining walnuts. Soak bread in mixture turning to coat both sides of slices. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, make caramel sauce: In small saucepan, over medium low heat cook remaining ½ cup sugar and the lemon juice until sugar caramelizes or turns golden. Reduce heat to low and gradually whisk in remaining ¼ cup heavy cream until well mixed. Keep sauce wan over low heat.
• In large skillet, melt ½ tablespoon butter, add bread slices and cook until golden brown on both sides. Transfer slices to a baking sheet. Cut slices in half diagonally. Divide cream cheese spread evenly among the slices. Bake 5 to 10 minutes or until cheese spread is warn. Meanwhile, thinly slice remaining apple quarters. In same skillet, melt remaining butter and sauté apple slices.
• To serve, pour caramel sauce onto 2 plates. Place 4 half slices French toast diagonally on each plate and top with sauted apple slices. Sprinkle walnut brittle over top. Garnish plates with fresh mint sprigs, if desired.