Orange French Toast With Orange Caramel
French toast is an easy way to dress up any morning. But, on holidays, for guests, and other special occasions, you might want to add a few gourmet touches. Our version includes an orange kiss, and a luscious orange caramel with a touch of maple for a unique flavor palette.
Ingredients
- 1 loaf French bread
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup yogourt
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 large oranges zest & juice
- 2 tablespoons neutral oil
Orange Caramel Sauce
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
Day Before
- Slice the French loaf about 1 to 1 1/2 inches thick. Set the slices out in a single layer on a baking sheet or other clean surface and leave overnight to dry. Turn once about halfway through.
Next Day
- If the bread still seems a little too moist, you can boost the drying process by popping the baking sheet in the oven at about 200 °F for about 20 to 30 minutes.
- In a large bowl, beat the eggs, and add the yogourt, milk, cinnamon, and 1 tablespoon brown sugar.
- Add the zest from half of one of the oranges.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a large frying pan, and bring it to a medium-high heat.
- Dip the slices of bread in the egg mixture, and use a fork or spoon to press lightly, so that they absorb the custardy mix. Turn them over and repeat.
- Fry in the pan for about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
- As each batch is done, set them inside the oven at 200 °F to keep warm as you prepare them all. Use the remaining oil to cook the rest as needed.
Orange Caramel Sauce
- Add the remaining orange zest, and the orange juice, to a small saucepan at a high setting.
- Stir in the brown sugar and cinnamon as it heats.
- Keep stirring as it reaches a boiling point, and turn the heat to medium-high. It should begin to thicken as you stir.
- Cook for another 3 to 5 minutes as it thickens. It will reduce somewhat as well.
- Add the butter and maple syrup, and continue to cook and stir for another 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove the French toast from the oven, and divide between four plates.
- Drizzle with orange caramel sauce and serve immediately.
Notes
Note: If you can find day-old bread, or you just happen to have an aging French loaf on your hands, you won’t need the day before prep. The idea is to dry out the bread so it soaks up the custard.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
