My husband and I were vacationing recently and had this lovely French toast at a bed and breakfast. When we came back home, I kept missing it so I called them up and requested it. They actually gave me the recipe over the phone! I generally halve the recipe for my husband and me, and I bake it in an 8-inch square pan. Reheats well in the toaster oven. I served it to my in-laws recently, and they loved it. Serve it with a little sweetened whipped cream and berries!
Prep Time::20 mins
Cook Time::35 mins
Additional Time:: 1 hr
Total Time:: 1 hr 55 mins
Servings::12
Ingredients
1 cup packed brown sugar
⅓ cup butter, melted
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
⅓ cup chopped pecans
12 (3/4 inch thick) slices French bread
1 teaspoon grated orange zest
1 cup fresh orange juice
½ cup 2% milk
3 tablespoons white sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 egg whites
2 eggs
1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar for dusting
Directions
In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, melted butter, and corn syrup. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, and spread evenly. Sprinkle pecans over the sugar mixture. Arrange the bread slices in the bottom of the dish so they are in a snug single layer.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, egg whites, and eggs. Pour this mixture over the bread, pressing on the bread slices to help absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C ). Remove the cover from the baking dish, and let stand for 20 minutes at room temperature.
Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving.
Dotdash Meredith Food Studios
From the Editor
To make this in your air fryer, prepare the recipe as directed through Step 2. Line air fryer basket with foil; coat with cooking spray. Arrange half the pecan mixture in an even layer on foil. Preheat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Arrange half the bread slices on top of the pecan mixture. Cook, turning once halfway through, until the outside is golden brown and the inside is creamy, about 12 minutes. Transfer French toast to serving platter; keep warm. Remove and replace foil if necessary. Repeat with remaining pecan mixture and bread slices.