Make-Ahead Vanilla French Toast

Weekend guests? Make this scrumptious orange-scented vanilla French toast with brown sugar sauce. It’s sweet and easy!

Recipe Ingredients:

French Toast:
1 (1-pound) loaf French bread
1 1/2 cups vanilla-flavored half-and-half
1 cup milk
6 large eggs
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel, if desired

Sauce:
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup vanilla-flavored half-and-half
1/4 cup butter or margarine
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1/2 cup sliced almonds*

Maple syrup, if desired

Cooking Directions:

1. Slice bread into 12 (1-inch thick) slices. Arrange bread slices in bottom of greased 13x9-inch baking dish; set aside.
2. Combine all remaining French toast ingredients in medium bowl. Beat at low speed until well mixed. Pour mixture over bread, covering all bread surfaces. Cover; refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
3. Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients except almonds in small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted (3 to 4 minutes). Continue cooking until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute. Remove from heat.
4. Sprinkle bread with almonds. Pour half of sauce mixture over bread mixture in pan. Bake, uncovered, for 35 to 45 minutes or until golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes.
5. Just before serving, heat remaining sauce; pour over French toast. Serve French toast warm with maple syrup, if desired.

Makes 6 servings.

*Substitute chopped pecans.