Baked Orange Pecan French Toast

ingredients

6 eggs
2/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup milk
3 Tb orange liqueur
1/4 cup sugar
1 Tb grated orange peel
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
12 slices French bread, thick sliced
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped pecans
powdered sugar, for garnish
fresh fruit, for garnish
syrup

directions

1
In a large bowl, whisk or beat together eggs, orange juice, milk, orange liqueur, sugar, orange peel, vanilla and nutmeg. Dip each slice of French bread in mixture to coat both sides. Place soaked bread slices in a single layer on an ungreased 10x15-inch jelly-roll pan. Pour any remaining mixture over bread. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
2
The next morning: preheat oven to 375°. Divide melted butter evenly between two 13x9-inch glass baking dishes and spread to completely cover bottom of dishes. Place soaked bread slices in a single layer in the two dishes and sprinkle with pecans. Bake on middle rack in oven for 20 minutes. Do not turn slices over. If crisper French toast in desired, turn oven up to 400° and bake for 10 minutes longer, or until crisp and golden brown. Remove from baking dishes to warm plates. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and garnish with fresh fruit.

notes

A great make-ahead recipe! Soak the French bread in an orange flavored mixture the night before, and pop it in the oven in the morning. Easy, yet elegant!

Source: Kelly