There’s nothing better than a lazy weekend morning. After feeling like I’ve been in complete chaos during the workweek, there’s few things I love more than waking up late, easing into the day and spending a lazy morning making something delicious – usually when I’m making something at home, it’s’ French Toast.
When I was younger my dad would go all in on a weekend breakfast – from homemade blueberry scones, to waffles, to a big puffy pancake, homemade cinnamon rolls, and even French toast from time to time. I totally took for granted the love and patience it takes into cooking anything, let alone a fancy breakfast. And while I am nowhere near having his skills in the kitchen, it is fun to spend a cozy morning making something that people fondly remember (even if it’s nowhere near as good as what I remember as a kid :))
I wanted to find “my dish” for breakfast – the tried and true recipe that I can make that feels special but also doesn’t take hours to make. I’ve been making this orange juice French Toast which offers the perfect citrus zing, and a blueberry compote that balances the sweet and citrus perfectly. Plus it only take about 20 minutes to make, and if I can make it, believe me when I say that you can too!
Easy Weekend Orange French Toast Recipe
What You’ll Need:
For the French Toast
1 loaf challah or brioche, cut to 1″ thick slices
4 eggs
1 1/4 c half & half or milk of choice
1/4 c fresh orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1/4 c sugar
1/2 tsp salt
butter or neutral oil for pan-frying
For the Blueberry Sauce
2 c fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 c fresh orange juice
zest of 1 orange
1/2 c sugar
1/4 c water
2 tbsp cornstarch to thicken
Easy Weekend French Toast Instructions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 eggs, 1 1/4 cup half and half (or your favorite milk, I use skim!), 1/4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice, and 1 tsp of fresh orange zest. Add in 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 1/4 cup sugar and 1/s tsp of salt. Mix all together until you have a nice, frothy lather!
Take your challah or brioche bread, and add it to the mixture until it’s fully submerged. In a frying pan, add butter and allow to melt. Once it’s melted, add your fully soaked French Toast bread into the pan and fry on both sides until browned.
Blueberry Sauce Instructions:
Take 2 cups of fresh or frozen blueberries (I used frozen since it was easier) and combine with 1/4 cup fresh orange juice and zest of an orange on top. Add in 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup water. Once it’s all mixed together, add the mixture to a sauce pan and allow to simmer. Add 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to thicken the mixture once you’re cooking to avoid it being too runny.
Serve up with butter, maple syrup and any toppings you’d like! I like to add some freshly cut strawberries, but it’s also delicious with a little whipped cream on top!
If you happen to have a go-to breakfast recipe, I’d love to know your faves! Otherwise I’ll be making this easy weekend orange french toast all summer long. I’ve been singing the praises of my Great Jones pans – and from now until the end of the month you can get a $75 gift card with any purchase through my website! Just shop directly through the links below and my friends at Fermat (which allows for shoppable commerce right in your blog posts!) will send you your gift card within 24 hours!
