# Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole – A Delectable Brunch Treat
## Introduction
Everybody loves a luscious breakfast. And what’s better than waking up to the scent of Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole wafting through your home? This delightful casserole is the perfect blend of tangy cranberries, sweet bread, and zesty orange, baked to perfection for a delightful brunch or a cozy breakfast.
## Why Make This Recipe
In addition to adding a touch of gourmet flair to your ordinary breakfast spread, this vibrant Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole offers a combination of flavors that’s hard to resist. It’s also a fantastic way to make use of that leftover French bread. The recipe is simple, yet the output is fantastic, making it a hit for both entertaining and ordinary days.
## How to Make Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole
### Ingredients:
– 1 loaf of French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
– 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
– Zest of 1 orange
– 4 large eggs
– 1 1/2 cups milk
– 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
– Powdered sugar and maple syrup for serving
### Directions:
Follow the given instructions to prepare your Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole:
1. Preheat your oven and lightly grease your baking dish.
2. Spread the bread in the dish, followed by cranberries and orange zest.
3. Create your mixture of eggs, milk, orange juice, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Pour this over your bread.
4. Cover the dish and let it sit before baking it covered. Afterward, remove the foil and bake it additionally.
5. Let it cool before serving with powdered sugar and maple syrup.
## How to Serve Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole
After baking and letting it cool down a bit, dust your casserole with powdered sugar and drizzle some maple syrup over the top. You can also serve it with a side of fresh fruits or whipped cream.
## How to Store Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole
Storage is simple. Allow the casserole to cool down completely. Cover it with a plastic wrap or foil and then refrigerate. It will stay good for 2 to 3 days.
## Tips to Make Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole
1. To ensure that your french toast casserole is moist, let the bread soak up the egg mixture completely.
2. If you are using fresh cranberries, make sure they are not too tart as it might overpower the sweet and creamy taste of the casserole.
3. Adding a little bit of orange extract can amplify the citrus flavor in this dish.
## Variation
You could replace the cranberries with other berries like blueberries or raspberries to try a different flavor. Instead of French bread, you could use sourdough or challah for a different texture and taste.
## FAQs
1. *Can I use dried cranberries instead of fresh ones?*
Yes, you can definitely use dried cranberries if you don’t have fresh ones available.
2. *Can I prepare this dish overnight?*
Yes, you can prepare it up till step 6 and refrigerate. The next morning, continue with the baking process.
3. *Can I freeze this casserole?*
Yes, you can freeze it. Make sure it cools down completely, and then tightly wrap it with plastic wrap/foil before freezing.
With all these tips and tricks in mind, it’s time to venture into your kitchen and treat yourself with a heart-warming Baked Cranberry Orange French Toast Casserole! The blast of flavours in this recipe is sure to delight everyone at your breakfast table.