It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
No excuses needed – eat what you like when you like. Figure it out in January!

During the week I am a breakfast smoothie girl, but on the weekends, especially special days like Christmas and New Years Day I love a breakfast you can linger over. We frequently have savory waffles or poached eggs however I was looking to switch it up this Christmas day and have something semi made ahead that I can pop in the oven while we are opening gifts and then enjoy throughout the day.

I started looking at French Toast recipes but they always seem to leave me feeling like a weeble for the rest of the day. I wanted to include eggs in a bigger way as well so after a few tries, I landed on Ina’s French Toast Bread Pudding. Ina hasn’t steered me wrong yet so I thought I will add a few of my own twists and give it a try to see if it was a crowd pleaser.

I am always trying to buy the best ingredients and my latest obsession in the kitchen, until I am able to have my own chickens, is ensuring my eggs are the best quality I can find. If you haven’t heard of The Happy Egg Company, now you have. They are available in most geographic areas and as the name implies, they come from happy chickens! Their chickens are free range and I dream of them strolling around their fields care free taking dust baths and sipping on tea under the shade of a large tree. If a girl can dream so can a chicken, right?

This recipe calls for 8 eggs so I know the quality of the egg will definitely have an impact on the outcome as well as the overall flavor. 

For my twists on the recipe I wanted to add additional orange flavor, I reached into my cabinet to find Cointreau – an orange flavored liquor. Perfect! I also whipped up a quick Cointreau glaze for a finishing touch. Feel free to leave this out of your recipe however, I would add a touch more orange zest to really bring out that lovely flavor. I might also, cut up the bottom layer of the bread into chunks to absorb more of the custard into the bread – but I will let you know how that goes next time I whip it up.

This is a fairly rich dish and I suggest serving it with a savory or salty side or protein to balance it out. Did someone say bacon….?

Orange Zest French Toast Bread Pudding

[yumprint-recipe id=’20’] 

UPDATE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
Enter Competition

A quick note: This giveaway is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States and District of Columbia who are at least 18 years old as of the date of entry, except officers, directors, members, and employees of the Sponsor, the judging organization (if applicable), or any other party associated with the development or administration of this Promotion, and the immediate family (i.e., parents, children, siblings, spouse), and persons residing in the same household, as such individuals. This Promotion is void outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, and where prohibited. Contest ends 8:59PM EST January 8th, 2016.