MAPLE-CINNAMON TOAST WITH CITRUS AND CRèME FRAîCHE

Maple-Cinnamon Toast With Citrus and Crème Fraîche image

Provided by Alison Roman

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 small blood orange or navel orange, very thinly sliced, seeds removed
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Flaky sea salt
2 tablespoons plus 1 cup pure maple syrup
4 (1/2"-thick) slices brioche or challah
1 cup crème fraîche

Steps:

Preheat oven to 450°F. Place orange slices and sugar in a small bowl. Scrape in vanilla seeds; save pod for another use. Toss to coat orange slices.
Mix butter, cinnamon, a pinch of salt, and 2 Tbsp. maple syrup in a medium bowl to combine. Spread cinnamon butter on one side of each piece of brioche. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and toast in oven until brioche is golden brown (the bottoms should be very crisp), 8-10 minutes.
Place each toast, buttered side down, on plates. Top with crème fraîche and orange slices. Drizzle remaining 1 cup maple syrup over toasts and finish with a sprinkle of salt.