Upside-Down Orange French Toast

(Courtesy of Taste of Home)

Ingredients:
1/2 c. butter, melted
1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. chopped pecans
2 Tbsp. grated orange peel
2 tsp. ground cinnamon
12 slices French bread (3/4 inch thick)
4 oz. cream cheese, cubed
8 eggs
1 c. orange juice
1 Tbsp. orange liqueur, optional
1/2 tsp. butter flavoring


Directions:
Place butter in a 9x13 baking dish.  Combine the sugar, pecans, orange peel and cinnamon; sprinkle over butter.  Arrange bread in dish.  Dot with cream cheese.  In a large bowl, whisk eggs, orange juice, orange liqueur (if desired) and butter flavoring; pour over bread.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.


Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.  Bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.  To serve, invert slices onto plates.