Go Back
Print
This small-batch Mandarin Orange French Toast Bake is a quick and easy brunch recipe and perfect for the colder months. Topped with a special orange syrup and whipped cream, it's a spot of sunshine on a dreary morning. Get the recipe and more refined sugar free brunch recipes at naturallysweetkitchen.com #naturallysweetkitchen #brunch #easyrecipe #easybrunch #frenchtoast #frenchtoastbake #orange

Mandarin Orange French Toast Bake

This Mandarin Orange French Toast Bake with orange syrup is incredibly satisfying and moreish. You’ll be walking on winter sunshine all weekend long.

Category Breakfast
Keyword French toast bake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Chilling 8 hours
Total Time 50 minutes
Serves 3
Author Amanda | Naturally Sweet Kitchen

Ingredients

French Toast Bake

  • 1 medium white baguette
  • 3 large eggs
  • 3 ½ tbsp unpasteurised honey
  • 1 tbsp mandarin orange zest
  • 75 ml mandarin orange juice
  • ½ tsp vanilla paste
  • ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • 100 ml dairy-free milk

Mandarin Orange Syrup

  • ½ tbsp mandarin orange zest
  • 150 ml mandarin orange juice
  • 1 ½ tbsp unpasteurised honey
  • 2 tbsp water
  • Mandarin orange segments for serving
  • Whipped cream for serving

Method

French Toast Bake

  1. Lightly grease an 8 x 4 inch loaf tin with butter.
  2. Cut your baguette into roughly ¾-inch slices and line the tin with the bread. Don’t pack the bread too tightly, or it won’t have enough room to expand once you add the custard. You may have a few slices leftover.
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs and set aside.
  4. Add the honey, orange zest and juice, vanilla paste, cinnamon, and milk to a large bowl and whisk well to combine. Pour in the eggs and whisk until fully incorporated.
  5. Pour the custard evenly into the prepared tin, over and around the bread. Gently press the bread into the custard, making sure to drench the top crusts.
  6. Cover the tin tightly with foil and refrigerate overnight.
  7. The following morning, preheat the oven to 175°C and remove the tin from the fridge.
  8. Once the oven has heated, take off the aluminum foil and bake the French toast for 25-30 minutes. Remove the tin from the oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before serving.

Mandarin Orange Syrup

  1. Combine the orange zest and juice, honey, and water in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
  2. Allow the mixture to simmer and thicken for 10 minutes, whisking occasionally.
  3. Once the syrup is thick enough to lightly coat the back of a spoon, decant the syrup into a small serving jug.
  4. Serve the French toast bake with the syrup, orange segments, and a generous helping of freshly whipped cream.

Notes

This French toast bake will keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply pop back in a preheated oven for 10 minutes or until heated through.