Make Ahead French Toast

Use day-old French bread for a real treat. Any other hearty bread will do. If you're having company, here's a bit of a special do-ahead version. You can also do ahead a plain version, with just milk instead of orange juice, of course.

1 loaf French bread
4 eggs
2/3 cup orange juice
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup melted butter

Cut bread in 1” slices. Arrange in a 9x13 pan.

Combine remaining ingredients, except melted butter. Mix well and pour over the bread. Cover pan and refrigerate several hours or overnight.

Preheat oven to 400.

Melt butter and pour into a pan with a 1” side. Arrange bread slices, leaving a small gap between them. Pour butter on top. Bake for 10 minutes. Turn over and bake another 10-15 minutes.