It's fun to be creative with French toast. In this recipe, orange juice and peel, vanilla and nutmeg flavor the egg-milk soaking liquid for raisin bread. You could also use apple cider with cinnamon bread or any other juice, flavoring or spice you like along with a different type of bread, maybe brioche or challah, French or Italian, multi-grain or oatmeal bread.

Orange French Toast

6 large eggs
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup nonfat or low-fat milk
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
8 slices day-old raisin bread
Cooking spray
Confectioners’ (powdered) sugar, optional
Orange peel curls, optional
Bacon roses, optional
Orange slices, optional

1. In medium bowl, beat together eggs, peel, juice, milk, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg until well blended.
   Place bread in single layer in 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan. Pour egg mixture over bread. Let soak, turning once, until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes. Evenly coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray. Place bread slices in single layer on sheets.
2. Bake in preheated 375°F (190°C) oven 12 to 15 minutes. Turn slices. Continue baking until browned, about 10 to 12 minutes.
3. Dust with confectioners’ sugar. Top with orange curls, bacon roses and orange slices, if desired.

Makes 8 slices or 4 (2-slice) servings.

Nutrition information per 1/4 recipe using 2% milk without optional ingredients: 332 calories, 9 gm total fat, 321 mg cholesterol, 285 mg sodium, 294 mg potassium, 49 gm carbohydrate, 13 gm protein and 10% or more of the RDI for vitamins A and C, riboflavin, thiamin, iron, phosphorus.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of the American Egg Board (AEB) and Egg Nutrition Center (ENC).