Baked Challah French Toast

Cut the challah into 1″ chunks and place all of the chunks into a 9×13 baking dish and set aside. You want a few layers of bread in the baking dish so use a smaller baking dish if a 9×13 size is too big for the amount of bread you have.

In a large mixing bowl, whisk eggs, milk and half-and-half. Add vanilla, brown sugar, orange zest, the first listed amount of orange juice, cinnamon and salt and whisk. Add blueberries.

Pour the egg mixture over the challah. Stir gently to coat all of challah and mix in the blueberries. Cover baking dish with foil and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 350 F.

Keep the foil on the dish and put it into the oven. Bake the Challah French Toast for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake uncovered for 20 minutes or until set. Top will get a little crunchy/crusty.

Meanwhile, when Challah French Toast is almost done cooking, heat a medium sized pot over medium heat. Add the maple syrup and remaining orange juice and heat until just warm, about 2-3 minutes.

Cut the challah into 8 pieces and serve with warmed maple syrup.