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Cranberry Orange French Toast Bake with orange glaze drizzle

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!

Course Breakfast
Cuisine American
Keyword make ahead french toast
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
resting time 8 hours
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings 10 servings
Calories 375 kcal
Author With Two Spoons

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. When you are ready to bake, take French Toast Bake out of the refrigerator.  Preheat oven to 350°F. 

  5. 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.

  6. 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. 

  7. 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!