Festive French Toast

Ingredients:

•  12 slices brioche bread, cut into 1-inch cubes (can substitute with croissants)
•  3 medium red apples, peeled and cut into small pieces
•  1 cup raisins
•  8 large eggs
•  1/2 cup milk
•  3/4 cup Indian River Select orange juice, plus 2 teaspoons
•  1 teaspoon vanilla
•  Small pinch nutmeg
•  1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
•  4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
•  4 teaspoons maple syrup
•  2 tablespoons Indian River Select orange juice

Directions:

1. Grease a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish.
2. Add bread, apples, and raisins to the dish and mix well until the raisins and apples are evenly distributed. 
3. In a bowl, whisk milk, eggs, 3/4 cup orange juice, vanilla, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Pour the egg mixture evenly over the bread so every piece gets moistened.
4. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Remove from fridge 20 minutes before baking to allow to come to room temperature.
5. Preheat oven to 350°F.
6. Mix the melted butter, maple syrup, and 2 tablespoons of orange juice in a bowl. Drizzle half over the bread (keep the rest for serving).
7. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
8. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake for 40 more minutes until golden brown then remove from oven.
9. Garnish with the chopped pecans and allow to cool slightly for 10 minutes. Serve warm and add the rest of the butter, maple syrup, orange juice mix.

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