Orange Laced French Toast Casserole with Caramelized Bacon

The perfect breakfast dish to make for your mom on Mother's Day or any day.

Serves: 8
Cook Time: 90 Minutes (refrigerate overnight)

Ingredients

• 1 lb. Smithfield Bacon, divided
• 1 (1 lb) loaf french bread, slice into 1/2" slices (you will need approximately 12 slices)
• 4 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons orange zest
• Juice from one orange
• 8 eggs
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/4 cup of maple syrup
• Confectioner's sugar for garnish
• Orange slices for garnish
• For caramelized bacon garnish:
• Remaining 1/2 lb. Smithfield Bacon
• 3/4 cups (packed) light brown sugar

Steps

In a medium skillet, cook 1/2 lb. of bacon until cooked through not quite crispy. Drain on paper towels. Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on one side of each slice of French bread. Place bread slices in a greased 9x13x2 baking dish. Layer on cooked bacon slices. Top with another layer of the cream cheese-French bread slices. Blend eggs, milk, cinnamon, orange zest, orange juice, butter and maple syrup until well combined. Pour mixture evenly over bread. Use a spatula to slightly press layers down to moisten. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Put in cold oven straight from refrigerator and bake at 325 degrees F for 60-90 minutes or until center is set and edges are golden brown. Casserole may need to be covered with foil midway through baking process if it looks like it's getting too brown. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Dust with confectioner's sugar and garnish with caramelized bacon slices (instructions below) and oranges. Serve alongside warm maple syrup.

For Caramelized Bacon:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking tray with aluminum foil. Place sugar in plastic bag. Add 1/2 lb. of bacon to the bag and toss to coat with sugar. Transfer bacon to a baking rack set on the aluminum lined baking tray. Bake bacon until dark golden brown, turning once, about 8 minutes per side. Allow to cool.

Recipe and photo by Smithfield.

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Comments (2) Post Your Comment

charlenemoody
I've never tried this one before;but since Mother's Day is coming up;I'll just might have to Treat myself to this one;Can't resist it!and set one to the side for my mom;she would Love that!(Happy mother's Day; to all mom's!!!

Emiliesmom
I had never caramelized bacon before, and now I use it on everything! Great fancy casserole, and really easy.

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