Orange French Toast Bake

Prep Time:20 Mins | Total Time:8 Hrs 45 Mins | Makes:8 Servings

Hosting brunch? Here's a delicious dish you make ahead.

1/2 cup (125 mL) all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) milk

1 tbsp (15 mL) granulated sugar

1 tsp (5 mL) grated orange peel

1/2 tsp (2 mL) vanilla

1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt

6 eggs

10 slices (1 inch/2.5 cm thick) French bread, cut into 1-inch/2.5 cm cubes (about 9 cups/2.25 L)

1 can (312 g) mandarin orange segments, drained

Icing sugar, if desired

1 1/2 cups (375 mL) orange marmalade, warmed

Generously spray 2 1/2-quart casserole or 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, beat flour, milk, granulated sugar, orange peel, vanilla, salt and eggs with electric mixer on medium speed about 2 minutes or until smooth. Stir in bread cubes until coated.
Pour bread mixture into casserole. Top evenly with orange segments. Cover; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 24 hours.
Heat oven to 400ºF. Uncover; bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown. Sprinkle with icing sugar. Serve with orange marmalade.

Variation: Use a cup of chopped peaches and a jar of peach preserves instead of the oranges and marmalade.
Serve With : Serve with a side of sliced ham or bacon strips.

1 Serving: Calories 350; ( Calories from Fat 60 ); Total Fat 6g ( Saturated Fat 2g , Trans Fat 0g ) ; Cholesterol 165mg; Sodium 380mg; Total Carbohydrate 62g ( Dietary Fiber 2g , Sugars 28g ); Protein 11g