If someone brought a panettone to your Christmas party, here’s the BEST thing you can do with it.

French Toast Recipe serves 8 people

1 Panettone cake about 26 ounces or 16 slices of bread

2 cups half and half

6 large eggs

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

zest of one orange about 1 Tablespoon

4 ounces of butter

Equipment: Griddle or wide shallow pan, 2 sheet pans, 2 wire racks, 1 pie plate

Slice the pannetone serving sizes about a 1/2 inch thick

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Beat half and half, eggs, sugar, vanilla and orange zest in a bowl.  Pour batter into a pie plate.

Dip panettone slices (or bread) into the batter for about 15 seconds per side. Cook the French toast in about one tablespoon of butter on griddle set to medium heat (325 degrees on an electric griddle). Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.  Remove cooked French toast to a wire rack placed over a pan.  When all of the French toast is finished on the griddle, place the French toast (still on the pan on the wire rack) into the oven and bake for 5 minutes.

Serve with butter and syrup.