Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons freshly grated orange zest
• 2 cups fresh orange juice
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons triple sec
• 6 large eggs
• 1/2 cup half-and-half
• 8 slices challah or 8 slices dense bakery bread, 1 inch thick,cut on the diagonal
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 1 tablespoon triple sec
• pure maple syrup

Instructions

1. Whisk together zest, juice, sugar, vanilla, triple sec, eggs, half-and-half, and a pinch of salt.

2. Arrange bread slices in one layer in a 13 X 9 inch glass baking dish.

3. Pour mixture over bread, turning slices to coat, and chill, covered, overnight.

4. Preheat oven to 400F and brush a large baking pan with butter.

5. Using a slotted spatula arrange bread in one layer on baking pan, leaving atleast 2 inches between each slice and bake in middle of oven 5 minutes.

6. Rotate pan and bake 5 minutes more.

7. Rotate pan again and bake until bread is puffed and golden, about 5 minutes more.

8. Make sauce while bread is baking: Cook butter, marmalade and triple sec over low heat, stirring, until butter is melted.

9. Drizzle French toast with sauce and serve with syrup, if desired.