Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast - Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Soy Free
Try this Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast recipe, which is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free.
Try this Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast recipe, which is gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free.
- 8 eggs
- for topping:
- maple syrup
- powdered sugar
- optional:
- 1 cup cane sugar
- pinch of ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons oil (i use avocado oil)
- 2 tablespoons pure honey
- zest of 2 large navel oranges (about 2 tablespoons)
- juice of 1 orange (scant 1/4 cup)
- 1 3/4 cup coconut milk (not canned)
- 1 1/2 teaspoon orange extract
- 1/2 vanilla bean (scraped out of the center for seeds store bean in sugar for vanilla flavored sugar) or 1 teaspoon vanilla paste
- dash of grated nutmeg
- 1 1/2 loaves gluten dairy soy free bread (i use canyon bakehouse mountain white bread)
- avocado oil for greasing
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil softened
- 3 tablespoons coconut sugar (or light brown sugar)
- 5 tablespoons organic white rice flour
- 1 teaspoon pure honey
- additional teaspoon grated orange zest
- Carbohydrate 50.1957726423344 g
- Cholesterol 6.53333333333333 mg
- Fat 8.23913473067833 g
- Fiber 0.0108888890387851 g
- Protein 5.4232979251061 g
- Saturated Fat 6.77738354307599 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (215g)
- Sodium 171.863299879479 mg
- Sugar 50.1848837532956 g
- Trans Fat 0.475077713408122 g
- Calories 290 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (177 C).
- Grease a 9 X 12-inch baking dish at least 2-inches deep.
- Crack eggs into a medium bowl, whisk to combine then add sugar, oil, honey, orange zest, orange juice, coconut milk, orange extract, vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon; whisk to combine well.
- Working in batches, stack up about ½ a loaf and using a serrated knife cut of crust ends bread, then cut into fourths. Don't discard the ends, use for breadcrumbs at another time. Trimming a stack of 4-5 bread slices will speed up the process.
- When all the bread has been cut, transfer into the greased baking dish. It will form 2-3 layers of bread cubes.
- Pour the egg-sugar mixture over the bread pieces and press bread down into the wet mixture for about a minute. The liquid egg mixture will only come up halfway, exposing the top layer of bread cubes, with orange zest sticking onto the bread.
- Compress the topping ingredients to form clusters, then distribute across the french toast.
- Cover, first with parchment paper and then aluminum foil and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready, bake for 20 minutes.
- Uncover and continue to bake another 30 minutes.
- Take a peek after 25 minutes to check for doneness, as oven temperatures and elevation vary.
- Test for doneness with a skewer or knife, it is ready when it comes out with a wet crumb and the french toast feels somewhat firm to the touch.
- Optional: add about a teaspoon of orange zest evenly across the french toast.
- Let it cool for 20 minutes before slicing so the liquids can redistribute.
- Serve with maple syrup and/or confectioner (powdered) sugar. It has a good amount of sweetness already so you may want to taste first and add to your liking.
- Note: I find wrapping with both, parchment paper and aluminum, helps trap more steam than the conventional way with just aluminum foil, resulting in a french toast bake that is always moist even when it continues to bake uncovered.
My Unexpected Culinary Adventure: Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast
As a busy businesswoman, time is my most precious commodity. Juggling demanding meetings, client calls, and the never-ending to-do list leaves little room for elaborate cooking. Yet, I crave delicious, nourishing meals that fuel my day and provide a moment of peaceful indulgence. That's where this Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast comes in. It’s a revelation – a symphony of flavors that's surprisingly simple to prepare and incredibly satisfying.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and versatility. It requires minimal active preparation time, making it perfect for those hectic weeknights. The magic happens overnight, as the bread soaks up the fragrant mixture of eggs, honey, orange zest, and vanilla. The result? A French toast that’s incredibly moist, bursting with citrusy freshness, and subtly sweet. It's the perfect balance of comforting and sophisticated, a dish that elevates the ordinary breakfast into something truly special.
The Ingredients: A Story of Quality and Flavor
I'm a firm believer in using quality ingredients. The better the ingredients, the better the taste. For this recipe, I opt for fresh, organic ingredients whenever possible. The zest of two large navel oranges provides a bright, aromatic note that dances on the palate. The pure honey adds a touch of natural sweetness, while the coconut milk lends a creamy texture. I also use a good quality vanilla bean for that deep, rich vanilla flavor. It's the little details that make all the difference.
More than just breakfast: A versatile treat
This French toast is far from limited to breakfast. It’s wonderfully adaptable and can easily be transformed into a delightful brunch or even a light dessert. Serve it with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or a drizzle of maple syrup. The possibilities are endless!
Making it your own: A personalized touch
One of the things I love most about this recipe is its adaptability. Feel free to experiment with different types of bread, spices, or extracts. Perhaps a hint of cardamom or a splash of Grand Marnier for an adult twist? The beauty of cooking lies in creativity and experimentation. Embrace the freedom to personalize this recipe and make it your own.
The experience: Beyond the taste
Beyond the delicious flavors and effortless preparation, this Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast offers a sense of calm and anticipation. The process of preparing it, the anticipation of waking up to its heavenly aroma, the simple act of savoring each bite – these are the moments of mindful indulgence that make life sweeter. It’s more than just a meal; it’s a pause in the whirlwind of daily life, a chance to appreciate the little pleasures, the simple things that bring joy.
Sharing the joy: A gift from the kitchen
This recipe is also perfect for sharing. Imagine presenting a platter of golden-brown, fragrant French toast to your loved ones on a lazy weekend morning. It's a way to express care and affection, a simple gesture that can brighten someone's day. In a world often filled with stress and uncertainty, sharing a delicious meal together is a powerful way to connect and create lasting memories.
Conclusion: A taste of tranquility
In the fast-paced world we live in, it's easy to lose sight of the simple joys. This Overnight Orange Honey Vanilla French Toast is a reminder that even amidst the chaos, there is always time for a moment of peace, a moment of indulgence, a moment of pure, unadulterated deliciousness. It's a recipe for both the body and the soul, a taste of tranquility in every bite.
