Orange Pecan French Toast

Ingredients

• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1⁄3 cup butter, melted
• 2 Tbs light corn syrup
• 1⁄3 cup chopped pecans
• 12 (¾ inch thick) slices French bread
• 1 tsp grated orange zest
• 1 cup fresh orange juice
• ½ cup 2% milk
• 3 Tbs white sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 egg whites
• 2 eggs
• 1 Tbs confectioners’ sugar for dusting

Directions

1. In a small bowl, stir together the brown sugar, melted butter, and corn syrup. Pour into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, and spread evenly. Sprinkle pecans over the sugar mixture. Arrange the bread slices in the bottom of the dish so they are in a snug single layer.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange zest, orange juice, milk, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, egg whites, and eggs. Pour this mixture over the bread, pressing on the bread slices to help absorb the liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour, or overnight.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Remove the cover from the baking dish, and let stand for 20 minutes at room temperature.
4. Bake for 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving.