Oven-Baked French Toast

Oven-Baked French Toast

Ingredients

Toast:

• 1⁄4 cup (1⁄2 stick) butter, melted
• 8 thick slices French or Italian bread
• 4 eggs
• 2⁄3 cup orange juice
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans 

Syrup:

• 1⁄2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup orange juice
• 1⁄2 cup sugar

Cooking Directions: 

1. To prepare the toast, pour the melted butter into a 13 × 9- inch glass baking pan. 
2. Tilt the pan to coat the bottom evenly.
3. Arrange the bread slices in a single layer in the pan.
4. Whisk the eggs in a medium bowl until well beaten.
5.  Add the orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and nutmeg. Whisk until well blended. 
6. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
7. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
8. Remove the plastic wrap from the pan and bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes. 
9. Sprinkle the pecans over the top and bake for 10 minutes longer.
10. To prepare the syrup, melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. 
11. Add the orange juice and sugar. Cook until thoroughly heated and the sugar has dissolved. 
12. Do not boil. Serve with the French toast.