Oven French Toast With Orange Apple Syrup

French Toast
2 eggs
1/2 cup orange juice
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
8 French bread slices, cut in 1-inch slices
1/4 cup melted butter, plus additional butter for greasing pan

Orange Apple Syrup
3/4 cup orange juice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 medium peeled apple, cored and thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 orange, peeled and cut into sections

1. Grease a 9x13 pan with butter.
   
2. Whisk together all French toast ingredients except bread and butter. Dip both sides of bread in mixture and place in greased pan. Pour any remaining mixture over bread.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
   
4. Drizzle melted butter over bread. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
5. While French toast is baking, prepare syrup. Combine 3/4 cup orange juice with brown sugar. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly.
6. Add apples, cinnamon, and ginger and cook until apples are tender.
7. Add orange sections just before serving.

This French toast recipe is very easy and delicious, with or without the special syrup. The syrup adds a little prep time in the morning, but it's a nice touch if you have time for it. I didn't have oranges on hand, and I thought the syrup was great without them. --Sarah