Orange French Toast

We make this orange French toast on Christmas morning but you’ll love it any time at all. There’s a mix fresh orange juice, zest, and marmalade to get lots of orange flavor every bite. It’s quick and simple but makes your breakfast feel super special. The key is to use quality bread. Brioche or challah work best!

two french toast slices with cream cheese spread and orange sauce.

Orange French Toast

This bright and flavorful twist on classic French toast features a homemade orange cream cheese spread and a tangy orange sauce. Makes 6 servings (2 slices per person).
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 12 slices

Equipment

  • Large skillet or electric griddle
  • Stand mixer or electric mixer
  • Microplane zester

Ingredients 

French Toast

  • 12 slices bread 1-inch thick slices; French bread, Challah, Brioche, or Texas Toast
  • 8 eggs
  • 1 cup half and half
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • ½ teaspoon orange zest you need 2 large navel oranges for this recipe
  • cup chopped walnuts optional
  • cup craisins optional

Orange Vanilla Cream Cheese

  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • cup powdered sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon orange zest
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Orange Sauce

  • 1 cup orange marmalade
  • ¼ cup freshly squeezed orange juice

Want To Save This For Later?

I’m email you a link so you can find it when you need it.

You'll join my email list which you will love. And if you don't, unsubscribe in one click. ❤️

Instructions 

  • Make orange cream cheese. Using an electric or stand mixer, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, ¾ teaspoon orange zest, and ½ teaspoon vanilla. Transfer to a small bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate or set aside while you make the French toast.
  • Make the orange sauce. Whisk together the orange marmalade and orange juice in a small bowl. Set aside.
    orange sauce in bowl.
  • Preheat. Preheat an electric griddle to 350℉ a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Make egg mixture. In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, half and half, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and ½ teaspoon orange zest. Grease the griddle or skillet with cooking spray or butter. Dip French toast one at a time into the egg mixture and turn so both sides are entirely dredged.
    egg mixture in bowl and bread slices being dipped in mixture.
  • Cook. Place French toast on the preheated griddle or skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until each side turns golden brown.
  • Keep warm. Remove from the skillet or griddle and place on a large cookie sheet while you cook the other French toast pieces. To keep the French toast warm, you can keep it in a 200℉ oven.
  • Serve. Spread the cream cheese over a slice of French toast and top with the orange sauce. Garnish with chopped walnuts and craisins if desired.

Notes

  • The walnuts and craisins are optional but a nice topping complimenting the orange cream cheese, sauce, and French toast.
  • I recommend using freshly squeezed orange juice with the orange marmalade and fresh orange zest. 2 large navel oranges should be plenty for the orange zest and juice amounts called for in the recipe.
  • When zesting oranges, use a microplane zester or something similar to get finely grated orange peel. They are very sharp and make it easy to zest the orange. Be careful not to remove the white pith underneath the orange zest, as it has a bitter flavor.
Calories: 329kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 135mg | Sodium: 261mg | Potassium: 169mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 513IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 106mg | Iron: 2mg

There are some mornings where breakfast is more memorable (like Christmas morning or a Saturday morning of a long weekend). That’s when I make this recipe, and it’s become a family favorite. The fluffy French toast with the bright orange flavor is irresistible.

stacked French toast with cream cheese, orange sauce, walnuts, and cranberries on top.

My kids love it, and even the pickiest eater asks for seconds. It’s also great to serve for brunch if you have guests over, along with a cast iron skillet baked omelet.

French Toast Tips

  • Don’t overcrowd the pan! Make sure you give each slice of French toast enough space to cook evenly. Working in batches is key.
  • Watch your heat. If the pan is too hot, the French toast will burn on the outside before it cooks through. Adjust the heat as needed to get a nice golden brown color.
  • Use day-old bread. Slightly stale bread is actually better for French toast because it soaks up the egg mixture without falling apart. It’s a great way to use up leftover brioche sandwich bread.
  • Get zesty! Don’t be shy with the orange zest. It adds a bright, fresh flavor that makes this recipe unique. Just be sure to avoid the bitter white pith.

Key Ingredients and Tools

Here are a few things you’ll need to make this recipe shine:

ingredients measured out on counter.
  • Half-and-Half. This blend of milk and cream adds richness to the custard. You can usually find it near the milk and cream in the dairy aisle.
  • Microplane Zester. This handy tool makes getting that fine zest from the oranges easy. Look for it in the kitchen gadget aisle or sometimes near the baking supplies. A fine grater can work in a pinch, but be extra careful not to grate any white pith.
  • Orange Marmalade. This adds a lovely sweetness and texture to the orange sauce. You’ll find it in the jams and jellies aisle. If you don’t have any, you could try substituting apricot preserves for a similar flavor.

Using good quality ingredients is always a good idea, especially with a recipe where the flavors are so important!

Serving Suggestions

Serve with fresh fruit, a side of bacon, whipped cream, scrambled eggs, or a ham and hashbrown casserole.

Troubleshooting and Help

Can I use a different kind of bread?

Absolutely! While brioche, challah, and Texas toast are excellent choices, you can experiment with other types of bread. Remember that a sturdier bread will hold up better to the egg mixture. A soft sandwich bread might get a little soggy.

What if I don’t have a microplane zester?

If you don’t have a microplane zester, you can use the smallest holes on a regular box grater. Just be extra careful to avoid grating any of the white pith.

Can I make the orange sauce ahead of time?

You sure can! The orange sauce can be made a day or two in advance. Just store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.

What can I do with leftover orange sauce?

Oh, that’s the best part! The leftover orange sauce is fantastic on pancakes, waffles, ice cream, you name it! Get creative and have fun with it.

If you have more questions, leave a comment, and I’ll be happy to help.

Storing Leftovers

Always follow leftover and food safety practices when storing the different parts of this recipe.

Fridge:

  • French Toast: Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure it’s in an airtight container to keep it fresh.
  • Cream Cheese Mixture: This will last in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Store it separately from the French toast.
  • Orange Sauce: This can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Freezing:

  • French Toast: Good news! You can freeze the French toast for longer storage. It’s best to freeze it within 2 hours of cooking. Wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. This will help prevent freezer burn. It will last in the freezer for 2-3 months.
  • Cream Cheese Mixture: This doesn’t freeze well, so I recommend making it fresh.
  • Orange Sauce: Freezing the orange sauce isn’t recommended either. It might separate and change texture when thawed.

Reheating:

  • To reheat your French toast, pop it in a 350-degree Fahrenheit oven for about 5 minutes or use the microwave. If using the microwave, reheat in short bursts (30-60 seconds) to avoid overcooking.

There you have it! This recipe is a lovely way to add a little sunshine to your morning. It’s easy to make, but it feels special enough for a weekend brunch or holiday breakfast. Its bright flavors and creamy texture make it a new family favorite.

two French toast slices topped with cream cheese spread and orange sauce, on plate with fork on side.
picture of smiling female

By Katie Shaw

Katie lives in Virginia with her husband, three daughters, a chocolate lab, and over thirty chickens. She loves creating simple tutorials for sourdough, bread, and soap. Her recipes, articles, and YouTube videos reach millions of people per year.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating