Ingredients
- 1 loaf of day-old French bread
- 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 rounded tablespoon sour cream
- Zest of an orange
- Mexican vanilla
- 6 large eggs
- Approx 1 1/2 cups whole milk
- Oil for the griddle
- Cinnamon
- Nutmeg, fresh ground if possible
- Powdered Sugar
- Orange slices to garnish
Directions
Reminiscent of the Dreamsicles we had when we were kids, this is especially nice if you mix a little orange liqueur with your syrup...
1) Now, I use a tablespoon of Mexican vanilla (because I love the stuff, and because I tell my husband when we run out of Mexican vanilla, he has to take me on a cruise to Mexico for more!) Blend this vanilla into the cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream and orange zest. Mix well. Cover and store in the refrigerator overnight, to let the orange flavor blend into the cream cheese mixture.
2) In the morning, mix eggs & milk, in a 1:1 ratio. (For two people, I use three eggs. I measure them into a measuring cup, and then pour in that much milk.) Whisk together with a little (you guessed it) Mexican vanilla. Madagascar will do, but please do NOT tell my husband!
3) Slice the day-old French bread into 1 & 1/2 inch thick slices. Cut a pocket into each slice and fill generously with the cream cheese mixture. Dunk into the eggs & milk blend, allowing your French bread to soak it up. Grill on an oiled, preheated griddle on medium heat. Sprinkle with a scant amount of cinnamon and nutmeg. Don't be too eager! You want the egg mixture to set. Turn once.
4) Dust with powdered sugar, garnish with fresh slices of orange, and serve immediately with warmed maple syrup. Strawberry syrup is dynamite with this French toast! Looks lovely garnished with a bit of the orange zest, too, if you have some nice long pieces.
P.S. This year, Larry took me on a cruise that included a stop in Honduras. Of course, I found vanilla there. And Oh My! The Honduran vanilla is a completely different taste - fabulous! I use it exclusively in my French Toast recipes, and chocolate chip cookies. The taste is "darker" - yes, I know that sounds a little mystical and silly, but that's what came to mind when I got my first whiff of the stuff. Ok, I'll try again... It smells like it's already been spiced with cinnamon and cloves, maybe allspice. Anyway, it's delicious and if you find yourself in the Honduras, be sure you get some vanilla there.