Pumpkin French Toast with Orange Honey Butter

'm in a an experimental breakfast phase. And I'm in an experimental cooking-with-pumpkin phase. So naturally, the twain shall meet.

I've had some disappointments. A lower fat, wheat flour version of Apple Pie Muffins? Bleh. Pumpkin Nutella Bread? Not so much.

But I was pretty happy with how this Pumpkin French Toast turned out, especially topped with Orange Honey Butter.

Mmm!

The pumpkin and spices are nice and subtle, and the compound butter complements the flavors just perfectly. (Did you know that when you mix an herb, honey, or other ingredients with butter, it becomes what's known as a "compound butter?" I didn't. Am I the only one?)

I think this french toast is just perfect for lazy, cozy weekend mornings.

Pumpkin French Toast with Orange Honey Butter

Orange Honey Butter

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup butter, softened (if you use unsalted, just add a little pinch of salt)
• 2 tablespoons honey
• About 1 tablespoon orange zest (more or less to taste)

Instructions:

1. I usually put my butter in a microwave safe bowl and nuke for 15-20 seconds. In this case, 20 seconds was a little too much, it started to get melty. Doh!
2. Pour on the honey.
3. Zest the orange over the honey and butter. Try not to miss the bowl. Oh wait, that was just me.
4. Whisk until blended.

1. Set aside (refrigerate if you want it to get a little harder) and make the...

Pumpkin French Toast

Ingredients:

• One loaf of french bread, on the stale side is best
• 4 eggs
• 2/3 cup milk (even more decadent with half and half or heavy cream)
• 1/2 cup pureed pumpkin (roasted and pureed sugar pumpkin, or canned - I like Trader Joe's organic canned pumpkin)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
• Pinch of salt
• Unsalted butter for cooking

Instructions:

1. Slice the french toast into about 3/4 inch slices.
2. In a large bowl, crack the eggs into the milk, and beat well.
3. Add the pumpkin, sugar, vanilla, spices, and salt, and mix well.
4. Heat a griddle up to about 350 degrees. Our electric griddle came with my guy. I love it, but the butter picture below makes me realize we probably need a new one. An excuse to shop for kitchen appliances! Darn!
5. Plop about a tablespoon of butter onto your griddle. I know, I know - I'm completely negating any of the healthfulness that comes with adding vitamin-packed pumpkin to french toast. This will change after the first of the year. For now, I cook the french toast with butter, and it will be delicious.
6. Dip the bread into the batter. I don't like to soak the bread - five seconds is the absolute maximum swim time.
7. Place the battered bread on the griddle, and cook both sides until nice and brown. 
8. Throw the warm french toast onto a plate, top with Orange Honey Butter, and add some maple syrup if you want. And then, you know, do the obvious. Eat!