Orange French Toast with Grand Marnier

3 tablespoons Grated Orange zest
2 cups freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons Grande Marnier
1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla
6 eggs
1/2 cup Half & Half or milk
1 package Thomas� �Maple� English muffins (10-12 halves)
3 tablespoons melted butter
 
Drizzle Butter Sauce:
3 tablespoons clarified butter
2 tablespoons sweet orange marmalade
1 tablespoon Grande Marnier

Whisk together zest, juice, sugar, vanilla, Grande Marnier, eggs, milk and a pinch of salt. Arrange English muffins in one layer on a 13X9X2 glass baking dish. Pour mixture over English muffins, turn to coat both sides. Chill overnight.

Arrange 2� apart on a buttered baking stone or cookie sheet at about 400 degrees. Bake 5 minutes on each side. Rotate pan/stone and bake 5 minutes more on each side. Again rotate and bake 5 minutes or until golden.

In a small sauce pan heat butter, marmalade and Grande Marnier until butter is melted. Drizzle over toasted muffins and serve hot with heated pure maple syrup or dust with 10X sugar. Garnish with fresh flower or mint leaf.

Serves 5-6 guests.

AUTHOR: TUDDLES