Ingredients

Topping:
3/4 cup - ricotta cheese
1/4 cup - cream cheese, softened
zest of 1 orange

For the syrup:
3/4 cup - honey
juice of 1/2 orange
1/2 teaspoon - cinnamon

For the french toast:

1/2 cup - sliced almond
3 - eggs
3/4 cup - milk
splash - vanilla
pinch - salt
8 - thick slices of challah or brioche bread- Texas Toast will work too
3 tablespoons - butter

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the ricotta and cream cheese until smooth. Stir in orange zest.

In another small bowl, whisk the honey, orange juice and cinnamon. Add three tablespoons of that mixture to the ricotta and stir. Reserve the rest for the topping.

In a shallow wide dish, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Spread the almonds out on a plate. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Melt half the butter in the skillet. Dip half the bread slices in the egg mixture, letting it soak in for about five seconds on each side. Place both sides of the bread in the almonds, pressing them into the side. Put the bread in the melted butter and grill until browned, about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Put the finished bread on an ungreased baking sheet. Melt the rest of the butter in the skillet and repeat with remaining bread slices. Bake the grilled bread in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until cooked through.

If desired, heat the honey mixture on the stove top or in the microwave. Serve the french toast slices with a dollop of ricotta and the honey syrup.