Shelly's Recipe

ORANGE-PECAN-STUFFED FRENCH TOAST

Category: French Toast

1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup chopped toasted pecans*
1 tbsp grated orange peel
16 (1-inch) slices French bread
4 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup butter, divided

In medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, pecans and orange peel. Cut bread horizontally two-thirds of the way through the middle of each slice to form a pocket. Fill pockets with spoonful of cream cheese mixture; press to close.

In another medium bowl, whisk eggs, milk and vanilla. Dip each bread slice into egg mixture. Melt 2 tbsp of the butter in large saucepan over medium heat. Add 8 of the bread slices; cook 4 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Repeat with remaining butter and bread.

TIP *To toast pecans, place on baking sheet; bake at 375. for 4 to 6 minutes or until slightly darker in color. Cool. Serves 8