Citrus Delight Overnight French Toast
Indulge in the bright and refreshing flavors of this Citrus Delight Overnight French Toast. This dish combines the zest of fresh oranges, velvety eggs, and rich bakery bread to create a decadent breakfast that's perfect for any special occasion or a leisurely weekend morning. The night before, you create a custard that soaks into the bread, ensuring every bite is bursting with flavor. Topped with a luscious orange marmalade sauce and pure maple syrup, it’s sure to impress your family and friends.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Freshly grated orange zest
3 tablespoons
Fresh orange juice
2 cups
Sugar
1/4 cup
Vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon
Triple sec
2 tablespoons
Large eggs
6
Half-and-half
1/2 cup
Challah or dense bakery bread, cut on the diagonal
8 slices (1 inch thick)
Butter, melted
3 tablespoons
Butter
3 tablespoons
Orange marmalade
2 tablespoons
Triple sec (for sauce)
1 tablespoon
Pure maple syrup
to taste
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the freshly grated orange zest, fresh orange juice, sugar, vanilla extract, triple sec, eggs, half-and-half, and a pinch of salt until well combined.
2
Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish, slightly overlapping if necessary.
3
Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, ensuring each slice is well-coated. Press down gently to submerge the bread if needed.
4
Cover the dish securely with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the bread to soak up the custard mix.
5
The next morning, preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and prepare a large baking pan by brushing it with melted butter.
6
Using a slotted spatula, carefully transfer the soaked bread slices to the prepared baking pan, spacing them at least 2 inches apart.
7
Bake in the middle of the oven for 5 minutes, then rotate the pan and bake for an additional 5 minutes.
8
Rotate the pan once more and continue baking until the bread is puffed and golden, about 5 minutes more.
9
While the French toast is baking, prepare the orange sauce: in a small saucepan, combine the remaining butter, orange marmalade, and triple sec. Cook over low heat, stirring until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth.
10
Once baked, drizzle the French toast with the warm orange sauce and serve with pure maple syrup on the side, if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus Delight Overnight French Toast?
It is a decadent breakfast dish where thick slices of bakery bread soak in a citrus-infused custard overnight and are baked to a golden puff the next morning.
What kind of bread is best for this recipe?
Challah or a dense bakery bread is recommended to ensure the slices hold up well after soaking in the custard.
How thick should the bread slices be?
The bread should be cut into slices that are approximately 1 inch thick.
How many eggs are required for the custard?
The recipe calls for 6 large eggs to create the custard base.
What provides the citrus flavor in the custard?
The flavor comes from 3 tablespoons of freshly grated orange zest and 2 cups of fresh orange juice.
Is there alcohol in the Citrus Delight Overnight French Toast?
Yes, the recipe uses Triple sec in both the custard (2 tablespoons) and the orange sauce (1 tablespoon).
Can I substitute the half-and-half?
The recipe specifies 1/2 cup of half-and-half for a rich texture, though you could likely use whole milk as a substitute.
How long does the bread need to soak?
The bread should be refrigerated and allowed to soak in the custard mixture overnight.
What size baking dish is used for soaking the bread?
A 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish is used to arrange the bread slices in a single layer.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How do I prepare the baking pan for the oven?
Prepare a large baking pan by brushing it with 3 tablespoons of melted butter before placing the soaked bread on it.
How far apart should the bread slices be placed on the baking pan?
The slices should be spaced at least 2 inches apart to allow for even baking and puffing.
What is the total baking time?
The total baking time is approximately 15 minutes, divided into three 5-minute intervals.
Why do I need to rotate the pan during baking?
Rotating the pan ensures that the French toast bakes evenly and achieves a consistent golden color.
What ingredients are in the orange sauce?
The sauce is made from 3 tablespoons of butter, 2 tablespoons of orange marmalade, and 1 tablespoon of Triple sec.
How do you make the orange sauce?
Combine the butter, marmalade, and Triple sec in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until the butter is melted and the sauce is smooth.
When should the orange sauce be applied?
The warm orange sauce should be drizzled over the French toast once it is removed from the oven.
Should I serve this with anything else?
It is recommended to serve the French toast with pure maple syrup on the side.
How many slices of bread does this recipe accommodate?
The recipe is designed for 8 slices of 1-inch thick bread.
Does the recipe require salt?
Yes, a pinch of salt is added to the custard mixture to balance the flavors.
Is vanilla extract used in this recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract is whisked into the egg mixture.
How much sugar is added to the custard?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of sugar in the custard mix.
What is the best way to move the soaked bread to the baking pan?
Using a slotted spatula is the best way to carefully transfer the fragile, soaked bread slices.
What should the texture of the bread be after baking?
The bread should be puffed and golden on the outside while remaining tender on the inside.
Can I prepare the custard and bread on the same morning?
This specific recipe is designed as an 'overnight' dish to allow the bread to fully absorb the citrus custard for the best flavor and texture.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include breakfast, french toast, overnight recipe, orange, citrus, baked, dessert, and brunch.
Is the bread baked in the same dish it soaks in?
No, the bread is transferred from the glass soaking dish to a separate buttered baking pan for the actual baking process.
How much butter is used in total?
The recipe uses 6 tablespoons of butter in total: 3 tablespoons melted for the pan and 3 tablespoons for the sauce.
What part of the oven should I use for baking?
The French toast should be baked in the middle of the oven.
Is this dish suitable for a crowd?
Yes, it is described as a great dish to impress family and friends during special occasions or brunch.