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Banana Bread French Toast w/ Orange Ricotta Spread

Prep Time 60 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Rest Time 5 mins
Total Time 1 hr 20 mins
Difficulty: Intermediate
Best Season: Suitable throughout the year
Description

These delightful banana bread French toast sticks are crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and elevated with a bright and creamy orange-infused ricotta spread.

Ingredients
  • 1 loaf banana bread, sliced 1" thick sticks (**see notes below)
    • Ricotta Spread
  • Zest of one orange, divided
  • 2 Tbsp fresh squeezed orange juice
  • 1 Pint Ricotta cheese, whole milk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided
  • 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
    • Batter
  • 1 cup milk
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 oz Grand Mariner or other orange flavored liquor (optional)
  • 4 to 4 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 1 LB bacon or sausage links cooked (served on the side)
Instructions
  1. 1
    Cut bread into 1" thick slices and then split them lengthwise to make bread 'sticks
  2. 2

    Finely grate the zest of 1 large orange into a medium bowl (about 2 teaspoon, remove the excess and reserve for garnish); 2 Tbsp of the juice of the zested orange into the bowl.

  3. 3

    Add container of ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of the vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt. Stir until the sugar is almost completely dissolved. Transfer into a serving bowl

  4. 4
    Place 1 cup whole or 2% milk, 4 large eggs, optional Grand Mariner, remaining 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and remaining teaspoon of vanilla extract in a 9x13-inch baking dish and whisk until smooth and no streaks of unincorporated egg are visible. Fit a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet.
  5. 5
    Place as many bread sticks as can fit in a single layer into the milk mixture. Soak, flipping once, until the bread is saturated but not soggy, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer the bread slices to the wire rack; repeat soaking the remaining slices.
  6. 6
    Melt 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add as many bread sticks as can fit in a single layer with space around each one. Cook and rotate until golden-brown and the custard in the bread is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes per side (reduce the heat as needed to cook the toast for the full amount of time). Transfer to serving plates and tent with aluminum foil if not serving right away or keep warm in a 250ºF oven.
  7. 7
    Cook the remaining bread slices, melting 2 tablespoons of the unsalted butter in the pan before each batch.
  8. 8
    Serve with your favorite bacon or sausage links
Note

Banana bread recipe by Simply Recipes. Their recipe is simple and delicious and super easy to make!

Use Stale Banana Bread: Slightly stale banana bread works best because it soaks up the batter without becoming too soggy. Slice early and leave out to dry somewhat

**Garnish suggestions: orange zest, drained mandarin orange segments, toasted pecans, maple syrup, whipped cream.

Read it online: https://brinnerbites.com/recipe/banana-bread-french-toast-w-orange-ricotta-spread/
Dan Horne
Retired Chef

Hi, I'm Samantha, a full-time food blogger, mother of 2 beautiful daughters and a lovely wife. I live in New Jersey with my family. Loves traveling, sharing new recipes, and spending time with my family.