Challah French Toast

Ingredients

• 6 extra-large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half or milk
• 1 teaspoon grated orange zest
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons good honey
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 large loaf challah or brioche bread, sliced into 3/4-inch thick slices
• Unsalted butter
• Vegetable oil

To serve:

• Pure maple syrup
• Raspberry preserves (optional)
• Sifted confectioners' sugar (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. In a large shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs, half-and-half, orange zest, vanilla, honey, and salt. Soak as many of the challah slices in the egg mixture as possible for about 2-5 minutes, turning once.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon oil in a very large saute pan over medium heat. Add the soaked bread and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until nicely browned. Place the cooked french toast on a sheet pan and keep it warm in the oven. Fry the remaining soaked bread slices, adding butter and oil as needed, until it's all cooked. Serve hot with maple syrup, raspberry preserves, and/or confectioners' sugar.