1-1/2 cups milk
6 large eggs
1/3 cup maple syrup
3 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
1/8 teaspoon salt
8 slices (4-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1/2 inch) French bread
4 cups pitted Northwest fresh sweet cherries, halved
1/2 cup orange juice
Vanilla yogurt
Combine milk, eggs, maple syrup, 2 tablespoons sugar, orange peel and salt; mix well. Pour half of mixture into each of two 9-inch square baking dishes. Dip both sides of each slice of bread in milk mixture; arrange in the same baking dish. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Marinate cherries in orange juice and remaining 1 tablespoon sugar overnight.
Carefully transfer bread slices to a nonstick, buttered baking sheet using a large spatula; allow excess liquid to drip into pan used for soaking.
Bake in a preheated 400F oven 15 to 18 minutes; turn slices over halfway through baking time.
Top each slice with 1/2 cup cherries and a dollop of vanilla yogurt. Serve immediately.
Makes 6 to 8 servings.
Nutritional Analysis Per Serving: 297 Cal., 10.2 g pro., 7.3 g fat (22% Cal. from fat), 49.3 g carb., 168 mg chol., 2.8 g fiber, 292 mg sodium.