Crunchy Orange French Toast

I have been trying some new recipes lately. But the ones I have been really interested in were breakfast recipes. I really don't care for cereal--it's either sugary or bland. I much prefer a good cup of coffee... and what? Quiche, French toast, eggs, muffins, and things of that nature.

Oh, and it's finally cool outside, which makes me think of oatmeal, crisps, chilis, stews, roasts, and some of my favorite foods!

So, back to breakfast. I found this recipe from Melissa d'Arabian from the Food Network. I changed the name... I wanted to emphasize the Orange influence instead of the Bran. Who cares about the taste of Bran? But Oranges... in the morning? Perfect.

Crunchy Orange French Toast

Ingredients

• 8 slices whole-grain bread
• 4 tablespoons light cream cheese
• 4 teaspoons low-sugar orange marmalade
• 2 large eggs plus 2 egg whites
• Zest and juice of 1 orange
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups bran flakes cereal
• 1 to 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Spread 4 bread slices with 1 tablespoon cream cheese each; spread the other 4 slices with 1 teaspoon marmalade each. Combine to make 4 sandwiches.

Whisk the whole eggs, egg whites, orange zest and juice, and vanilla in a shallow bowl.

Place the bran flakes in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin or your hands. Pour the crumbs onto a plate. Dip

both sides of each sandwich in the egg mixture, then in the crumbs, gently pressing the crumbs onto the bread.

Heat 1 tablespoon each oil and butter in a skillet or griddle over medium heat. Add the sandwiches in batches and cook until the outsides are golden and the insides are melted, 3 to 4 minutes per side. (Add more oil and butter, if needed.)

Slice the French toast sandwiches into triangles. Let cool before serving to little ones, as the cream cheese can get quite hot. Sprinkle with confectioners' sugar, if desired, and the kids won't even ask for syrup!