Marinated French Toast

Our daughter made this for Easter Brunch. Everyone loved it, and it was gone in a flash!

MARINATED FRENCH TOAST

8 slices White Bread (Great Harvest or other substantial bread) cut in half
6 eggs
1 cup half and half
2 T. sugar
2 T. orange juice
1/2 t. vanilla
1/2 t. nutmeg
1/8 t. salt
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)

1 T. melted butter
1/4 cup packed brown sugar

Place bread in a single layer in large baking dish or tupperware container.  Mix eggs, half and half, sugar, orange juice, vanilla, nutmeg, salt, butter and pecans (optional) together in blender or with mixer.  Pour mixture over bread and turn to coat.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, place 1/3 cup butter in a different baking dish and melt in the oven at 400 degrees.  Distribute butter evenly.  Place bread slices in buttered baking dish with a spatula (otherwise, they will fall apart).

Place in 400 degree oven and bake for 25 - 30 minutes.

While French Toast is baking, place 1/4 cup brown sugar and 2 T. butter in a small saucepan on stove.  Melt over medium heat and pour over baking French Toast during the last 5 minutes of baking.