Baked Pecan French Toast with Orange Syrup

My mom made this while we were visiting for Christmas.  It is so good!  I made it this morning for our family.  The syrup is the best part!  I have some syrup leftover ... you can bet I'm planning on having orange syrup pancakes, waffles, etc all week.  :)  It's a great recipe for overnight guests since you do most of the work the night before.  I served with maple link sausage.  Mom made Orange Julius for us when she served hers.  Yum.

Baked Pecan French Toast with Orange Syrup
6 eggs
1 c orange juice
2/3 c milk
1/4 c sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp nutmeg
12 - 1/2 inch thick slices French bread
1/3 c margarine
3/4 c chopped pecans
1 recipe Orange Syrup (recipe follows)

Beat eggs, juice, milk, sugar, vanilla and nutmeg until combined. In a 13x9x2 baking dish, arrange bread slices in a single layer. Pour egg mixture over bread. Cover and refrigerate 2-24 hours.

Place margarine in a 15x10x1 baking pan. Place pan in a 350 degree oven just until margarine is melted. Remove from oven; tilt pan to spread butter over bottom. Remove bread from egg mixture and place in a single layer on top of melted margarine. Bake in 350 degree oven 20 minutes. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake 10 minutes more or until pecans are lightly toasted and toast is golden.

Orange Syrup
1 c margarine
1 c sugar
6 oz (2/3 C) frozen orange juice concentrate
Combine ingredients in small saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until margarine is melted. Do not boil. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Using a rotary beater beat until slightly thickened. Serve warm.
Makes 1½ cup.