This post is sponsored in conjunction with ChristmasSweetsWeek. We received product samples from sponsor companies to aid in the creation of the ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. Of course all opinions are ours alone because we just wouldn’t have it any other way!
When I found out I was going to get to work with an orange bakery emulsion from LorAnn’s Oils I was so excited! There are so many great flavors that pair beautifully with orange. But cranberry? Now that is just about perfect. Add a sweet orange glaze made with powdered sugar from Dixie Sugar and you get a little tart, a little sweet. My family is STILL raving about this Cranberry Orange Make Ahead French Toast Bake. Read on for the details-and don’t forget to enter the ChristmasSweetsWeek Giveaway!
This time of year, cranberries are plentiful. And one of my besties loves them. So when we were heading to the cabin together she suggested making a make ahead french toast bake using them. I’ll admit it, I balked. Cranberries are so tart. What about the texture of the cranberries. The kids won’t like it. So many excuses.
But she persevered and so I decided to develop a recipe and give this Cranberry Orange Make Ahead French Toast Bake a fair shake. Because cranberry and orange go well together I figured maybe it would work. IT MORE THAN WORKED-IT BLEW OUR MINDS!
Turns out cranberries, when pulsed with sugar and LorAnn’s orange bakery emulsion, are not only good, they are stunning. And when drizzled with a sweet orange glaze, the whole thing is amazing. Serve with bacon for the “sweet/salty” flavor bomb and you’ll have nothing but happy guests!
Cranberry Orange Make Ahead French Toast Bake is the ultimate brunch dish. Make it the night before and enjoy the morning with your guests. No fuss, no mess, just a hearty, delicious sweet treat!
Cranberry Orange Make Ahead French Toast Bake
This make ahead french toast bake is the perfect balance between tart and sweet. Complete with a glaze that makes this a hit with all of the kids!
Ingredients
Cranberry Orange French Toast Bake
- 1 16 ounce loaf French bread
- 8 large eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 cups 2% milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 cups whole cranberries
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon orange bakery emulsion (We used LorAnn's)
- ½ teaspoon salt
Orange Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 3 Tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon orange bakery emulsion (We used LorAnn's)
Instructions
Cranberry Orange French Toast Bake
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Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Rip loaf of french bread into small (bite sized) pieces and place into the baking pan.
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In a food processor, combine cranberries, brown sugar, orange bakery emulsion, and salt. Pulse until a paste like substance is formed. Using a spatula, dot cranberry paste over torn bread.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs, sugar, milk, heavy cream and vanilla. Stir until well combined. Pour mixture into baking pan (pouring over the torn french bread and cranberry mixture). Cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.
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When you are ready to bake, take French Toast Bake out of the refrigerator. Preheat oven to 350°F.
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Bake for 30 minutes covered in foil. After 30 minutes, remove foil and bake for an additional 30 minutes or until the bread is starting to brown at the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes.
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While the French Toast Bake is baking, make the glaze. In a small bowl combine powdered sugar, water, and orange emulsion. Whisk until smooth. Add more water as needed for desired consistency.
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Cut French Toast Bake into squares. Drizzle with glaze and serve while warm. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
I have used both conventional orange extract and LorAnn's orange bakery emulsion. The bakery emulsion yields a superior flavor, both smoother and more subtle. You can use orange extract, but I will tell you the LorAnn's is better!
Want to purchase the LorAnn’s Orange Emulsion? Use this link!
And check out these amazing recipes from the other fabulous bloggers involved in #ChristmasSweetsWeek…
#ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes:
Beverages:
Candy Cane Crunch Milkshake from The Redhead Baker
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Toddy from Strawberry Blondie Kitchen
Frozen Blue Hot Chocolate from For the Love of Food
Grumpy Grinch Punch from For the Love of Food
Merry Mistletoe Cocktail from Who Needs A Cape?
Raspberry Thyme Prosecco Punch from Take Two Tapas
Vanilla Milk Punch from Cooking with Carlee
Breakfast:
Cranberry Orange Make Ahead French Toast Bake from With Two Spoons
Candies:
Cookie Butter Balls from The Bitter Side of Sweet
Homemade Peppermint Patties from Everyday Eileen
White Chocolate Bark from Family Around the Table
Desserts:
Apple Cheddar Hand Pies from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
Sparkling Wine, Cranberry, and White Chocolate Layer Cake from Cheese Curd in Paradise
Chocolate Orange Crinkle Cookies from Kate’s Recipe Box
Chocolate Hazelnut Truffle Tart from Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
Cranberry Orange Crinkle Meltawats from Love and Confections
Double Chocolate Mousse Cake from The Crumby Kitchen
Gingerbread Cookie Cups from Moore or Less Cooking
Gingerbread Sprinkle Cookies from Daily Dish Recipes
Grandma’s Chocolate Pie from Tip Garden
Italian Butter Cookies from April Golightly
No Bake Eggnog Pie from Our Good Life
Orange Cranberry White Chocolate Bread from Sweet Beginnings
THE GIVEAWAY!
Not sure what this is all about? Missed out on the details announced yesterday? Check out yesterday’s post Vanilla Yogurt Mousse with Cinnamon Apples for a rundown of all of the great prizes from all of our fabulous sponsors! And of course, ENTER TO WIN!
Thank you ChristmasSweetsWeek Sponsors: Dixie Crystals, Cabot Cheese, Lorann Oils & Flavors, Torani, Joyjolt, and Sweets & Treats Boutique for providing the prizes free of charge. These companies also provided the bloggers with samples and product to use for ChristmasSweetsWeek recipes. All opinions are my own. The ChristmasSweetsWeek giveaway is open to U.S. residents, age 18 & up. All entries for the winner will be checked and verified. By entering you give the right to use your name and likeness. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Six (6) winners will be selected. The prize packages will be sent directly from the giveaway sponsors. The ChristmasSweetsWeek Bloggers are not responsible for the fulfillment or delivery of the prize packages. Bloggers hosting this giveaway and their immediate family members in their household cannot enter or win the giveaway. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter or any other social channel mentioned in the ChristmasSweetsWeek posts or entry.
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