Step 1

Preheat the oven to 425°. Cut each slice of bread, top to bottom, into 4 (about 1-inch wide) sticks. Stir together 3/4 cup sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a medium bowl. Set aside.

Step 2

Whisk together the eggs, half and half, vanilla, orange zest, salt, cardamom, 2 tablespoons sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in a separate medium bowl until well combined. Working with 1 bread piece at a time, dip to coat all sides thoroughly in the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Transfer to the cinnamon-sugar and toss to coat. Place the bread piece on a large sheet of aluminum foil. Repeat the process with the remaining bread pieces.

Step 3

Place a large rimmed baking sheet in the oven to preheat for 5 minutes. Remove the preheated baking pan from the oven and melt 1 tablespoon of the butter evenly over the pan. Arrange the bread pieces in a single layer on top of the hot, buttered pan. Bake until the bottoms are golden brown and caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes.

Step 4

Cut the remaining 2 tablespoons butter into ½-inch cubes. Remove the pan from the oven, flip the bread pieces over and sprinkle the butter cubes around the bread.  Continue baking until bread pieces are golden brown and crisp on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes.

Step 5

Divide the French toast sticks evenly between serving plates. Serve alongside maple syrup and mixed berries.