Orange French Toast

I recently stumbled upon a treasure trove of yummy recipes (through a friend's blog) at ksl.com. We loved this one... for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert! The orange flavor really made it extra tasty. (My substitutions are in parentheses.)

ORANGE FRENCH TOAST
Ingredients:

• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup half and half (whole milk)
• zest and juice of 1 large orange (1 c. orange juice)
• 2 T. brown sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• 8-10 thick (1”) slices Italian or French bread (white sandwich bread)
• 2 T. butter
• powdered sugar
• warmed maple syrup or ORANGE MAPLE SYRUP

Method:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, half and half, orange zest and juice, brown sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Dip the bread in egg mixture and cook in the butter in a large skillet for 3-4 minutes per side. Serve with powdered sugar and warmed maple syrup or ORANGE MAPLE SYRUP.

ORANGE MAPLE SYRUP
Ingredients:

• 2 T. water
• ¾ cup brown sugar
• ½ cup orange juice concentrate
• 4 oz. (1 stick) butter
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup
• zest of 1 orange
• ½ cup honey

Method:
In a medium saucepan, bring water, brown sugar and orange juice to a simmer. Add the butter, maple syrup, orange zest and honey. Cook on low heat for 5 minutes. Serve warm over pancakes, French toast or waffles. Refrigerate any left over syrup and then reheat as needed. Makes about 1 ½ cups syrup.