Orange Pecan French Toast


"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 I, and 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 with a little sweetened whipped cream and berries!"

Total Time
49mins
Prep 4 mins
Cook 45 mins
Ingredients
  1. 1 cup packed brown sugar 1/3 cup butter .
  2. melted 2 tablespoons light corn syrup 1/3 cup chopped pecans 12 (3/4 inch thick) slices French bread 1 teaspoon grated orange zest .
Directions
  1. In a small bowl .
  2. stir together the brown sugar .
  3. melted butter .
  4. and corn syrup. Pour into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish .
  5. 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. .
  6. In a medium bowl .
  7. whisk together the orange zest .
  8. orange juice .
  9. milk .
  10. sugar .
  11. cinnamon .
  12. vanilla .
  13. egg whites .
  14. and eggs. Pour this mixture over the bread .
  15. pressing on the bread slices to help absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour .
  16. or overnight. .
  17. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C ). Remove the cover from the baking dish .
  18. and let stand for 20 minutes at room temperature. .
  19. Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven .
  20. until golden brown. Dust with confectioners' sugar before serving. .