Orange Brunch Strata with Cranberries

Step 1: Allow the cream cheese to reach room temperature.

Step 2: With a hand mixer, beat the cream cheese and orange zest in a medium bowl

Step 3: Adding the eggs one at a time to form a lumpy batter.

Step 4: Beat in the half-and-half, sugar and vanilla.

Step 5: The batter will still be lumpy.

Step 6: Spray a 13-by-9-inch Pyrex or ceramic baking dish with vegetable cooking spray.

Step 7: Line the dish bottom with 6 slices of bread, cutting some slices into strips to form a tight fit.

Step 8: Pour 1 cup of the egg mixture over the bread, then sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the cranberries.

Step 9: Make another layer with the remaining bread.

Step 10: Slowly pour the remaining egg mixture over the bread.

Step 11: Cover the dish with plastic wrap, then lightly weight the strata by setting a dish on it, or lightly pressing on it with your hands a few times, until the bread has almost completely absorbed the milk mixture.

Step 12: Refrigerate the strata overnight.

Step 13: Remove the plastic from the dish and allow it to come to room temperature before baking.

Step 14: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat the oven at 325 degrees.

Step 15: Sprinkle the strata with the walnuts and the remaining cranberries, lightly pressing them into the bread.

Step 16: Bake until the strata is firm and puffy, 35 to 40 minutes.

Step 17: Meanwhile, warm the marmalade and 1/4 cup of orange juice in a pan over low heat or in a microwave oven.

Step 18: Remove the strata from the oven and let it stand for 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 19: Cut the strata into 12 portions and serve immediately with the warm orange marmalade sauce