What a week it’s been. Do you ever have one of those days (or couple of days in this case) when you’re go-go-go all day and fall into bed exhausted at night still thinking you didn’t get enough done? That kind of week.
That kind of week calls for this kind of Saturday breakfast. Honey orange whole wheat french toast. Dare I say it’s comfort food, healthified.
Yup, I dare.
So remember this bread I’ve been obsessing over? My mom read that post and promptly asked me when french toast was happening (we may be french toasts’ #1 and #2 fans). A few minutes later I texted her a picture of these bread slices taking a dip in the french toast egg mixture. There are a few takeaways from this – 1) my mom and I pretty much have an ongoing text conversation about food, and 2) I will drop what I’m doing and french toast (french toast verb. “to french toast”) at the suggestion.
I’ve been whipping up this one-hour honey whole wheat bread like nobody’s business, so I sawed off the end of a loaf and put it to work. I like to think of french toast as a breakfast that seems fancier than the amount of work required. Mix up liquid, soak bread, cook in pan. Bada bing bada boom as far as effort goes, but the output? A warm, crisp-around-the-edges, slightly-sweet, super satisfying breakfast. And this one in particular is 100% whole wheat and uses 1% milk. Can ya beat it?
This french toast is flavored by honey and two kinds of orange – orange juice and orange marmalade. The orange juice soaks into the bread for an all-over flavor, while the marmalade is whisked throughout the mixture and poured over top of the slices in the frying pan to cook perfect little orange bursts into the bread surface. Honey, orange, and french toast – oh my.
Just to take things a smidge over the top I dusted these babies with powdered sugar and gave them a healthy drizzle of maple syrup. Both are recommended, and are the perfect way to begin a relaxing weekend (in my opinion). Now to just get through this Friday…
Enjoy your weekends, friends! xo
- 3 small to medium slices honey whole wheat bread*
- 1 egg
- 1/3 cup milk (I used 1%)
- 1/4 cup orange juice (I used reduced-sugar)
- 2 tbsp orange marmalade
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1/8 tsp cinnamon
- 3/4 tbsp butter
- powdered sugar, optional
- maple syrup, optional
- Add egg to a medium-sized bowl and whisk until egg white and yolk are well combined and fluffy. Add milk, orange juice, orange marmalade, vanilla extract, honey, and cinnamon and whisk until ingredients are combined. Place bread slices in a shallow dish and pour egg mixture over top of slices. Let sit for 3-4 minutes, then flip slices and let sit for another few minutes.
- In a skillet placed over medium heat, add 3/4 tbsp butter and let it melt, swirling it around the pan. Place bread slices in skillet and pour excess egg mixture over top. Let slices cook until the bottom side is a nice golden brown, then flip and cook until other side is golden brown as well.
- Remove from heat and (optionally) top with powdered sugar and/or maple syrup before serving.
Ashley @ My Midwest Table says
This version of French toast is way dreamy. Honey + orange is such a sunny combination, and I can’t think of better way to start the weekend. Especially after a long week!
Alyssa says
Sunny is a great way to describe it, Ashley! Such a weekend food. 🙂
Kloe's Kitchen says
With the crazy life my 12-person family runs, this is totally a Saturday breakfast we need to try! haha!
Alyssa says
Oh my gosh Kloe – that’s a large family! Thankfully the recipe is good to double, triple, quadruple… 🙂
Kathi @ Deliciously Yum! says
Whoa – this French toast is what weekends are all about! My hubby has an obsession with everything orange, especially orange juice. I bet he and I would have our way with this. Love that it’s healthified too, which means we can eat even more ;). Pinned!
Alyssa says
I bet your husband would definitely enjoy this french toast, Kathi! And I agree on both points – this is a fab weekend breakfast and healthified = room for more! Haha yes! And thanks for the pin. 🙂
Chris @ Shared Appetite says
This looks amazing Alyssa! Hmmm… the weekend can’t come fast enough so I can make this!
Alyssa says
Thanks Chris! This is becoming a favorite weekend recipe for me for sure.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Well this is totally happening for weekend breakfast in a few days. It looks sinfully delicious, I can smell it from here in my dreams!
Alyssa says
Haha thanks Pamela! This makes weekend mornings extra special – I speak from experience. 🙂
Kristi @ Inspiration Kitchen says
YUM! The honey orange flavor sounds absolutely delightful in french toast. I am loving this! Pinned!
Alyssa says
Oh it’s a new favorite flavor combination, Kristi! Slightly sweet and slightly citrus-y – mmm. And thanks for the pin! 🙂
ATasteOfMadness says
This french toast looks amazing! I think I need to be making more French Toast instead of going for my regular oatmeal in the morning.
Alyssa says
I fully support sneaking in more french toast to your breakfasts! Although I do get in the oatmeal habit pretty frequently myself. Both are delish! 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
These photos are so sunny and perfect! I seriously would love some of this french toast right now!
Alyssa says
Thanks Jocelyn – I would love some right now too, even though it’s just about my bedtime! 🙂
Sues says
This is a gorgeous french toast!! I love all the maple syrup, too 🙂
Alyssa says
Thanks Sues! Maple syrup is a must. 🙂
Danielle says
I love French toast, it’s so quick to whip up and tastes delicious. Love the orange flavors in this French toast too, great idea!
Alyssa says
Thanks Danielle! It’s one of my favorites, and I love adding orange juice to the liquid even if I’m just making it plain. It’s a fun twist on morning OJ! 🙂
Jess says
Ugh, I have such a french toast addiction! This looks delicious!
Alyssa says
Thanks Jess! I’m in the same boat as you I think! 🙂
Anna @ shenANNAgans says
Alyssa, Im coming over… Holy bajinkas this looks amazing! 🙂 Haha, love the textie relationship with your Momma, me and my Ma are exactly the same. LOL!
Okay…. So if I leave now I reckon I can be at your place for Monday brekkie. 😛
Alyssa says
Haha wish I could ship you some, Anna! Thanks! And aren’t moms great for texts like that (among many many other things)?
Marcie says
I used to make French toast and now I never do. I keep thinking about it lately, then this! This looks so good Alyssa, and I want some French toast this weekend!
Alyssa says
Thanks Marcie! I’m pretty much ready to eat french toast for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. No stale-ish bread is safe! 🙂
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
Now this is my kind of breakfast! This french toast sounds delicious. And I love these pictures Alyssa!
Alyssa says
Thanks Natalie! 🙂