This is a wonderful recipe. It is one you will definitely want to add to your recipe file. It is great for special occasions or anytime you want a nice make-ahead breakfast. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
Orange Cream Cheese Strata With Cranberries and Pecans - Pam Anderson
12 ounces cream cheese
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
9 large eggs
3 cups half and half
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
12-14 slices of fluffy white bread - I used a nice Challah
1 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup orange juice
1. Spray 9-by-13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Line the bottom of the pan with six bread slices. If you need to cut strips of bread to fill in gaps.
2. Combine cream cheese and orange zest in a medium bowl and beat with hand mixer, adding eggs one at a time, to form a lumpy batter. You do not want the cream cheese smooth.
3. Beat in half-and-half, sugar, vanilla. Your batter should still be lumpy. Pour one cup of egg mixture over bread, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup of cranberries.
4. Make another layer with remaining bread, cutting any strips to fill any spaces as needed. Slowly pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread.
5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
6. In the morning remove strata from fridge. Adjust oven rack to middle position in oven. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup of cranberries and with pecans. Gently press into surface of strata. Let strata sit on counter for about 30 minutes. If you want to bypass this step and put strata straight into the oven from the fridge, just add 10-15 minutes to baking time.
7. Bake in the oven for about 35-40 minutes until strata is set and puffy. You may need to add a bit more baking time. Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Meanwhile warm the marmalade and orange juice in a saucepan or in the microwave.
8. Cut strata and serve with marmalade sauce. It is wonderful with a bit of whipped cream on the side as well.
9. ENJOY!!!!
