Overnight Pumpkin Spice French Toast  

Step 1

Butter a 9-by-13-inch metal, glass or ceramic baking dish.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, pumpkin spice blend, vanilla and salt.

Step 3

Dip each piece of bread in the milk mixture, then lay it in the prepared pan in slightly overlapping layers. Pour the remaining milk mixture over the top. Gently press the bread into the custard, then cover with foil and refrigerate overnight.

Step 4

When you are ready to bake, heat the oven to 350 degrees, uncover the dish, and gently flip each piece of bread, one at a time, so the side that is more saturated with custard is on the top. Rearrange the slices decoratively, as needed, so the rounded edges of the slices are exposed. Dot the top with the 3 tablespoons butter and cover with foil.

Step 5

Bake for 15 minutes, then remove the foil and bake until lightly browned, slightly puffy in the center, and cooked through, 15 to 20 more minutes. Tent with foil if the top is browning too quickly.

Step 6

Let cool slightly before serving with maple syrup, and nuts or fruit, if desired.