5½ – 7½ cups 1-inch bread cubes (enough to heartily fill a 9x13 baking dish)
7 large eggs
2 cups milk (any)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
⅔ cup pumpkin puree
3-4 tablespoons brown sugar for topping
½ cup pecans, chopped
Instructions
Lightly butter a 9x13 baking dish and fill with bread cubes. They should completely fill the dish and stick out above.
In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, and pumpkin puree until smooth. Pour over the bread, mixing gently to coat all pieces.
Cover with plastic wrap or foil, and refrigerate overnight (or at least a few hours!).
When ready to bake, sprinkle brown sugar and chopped nuts over top of the bread.
Bake at 350 F for 35-45 minutes — the top should be golden and crisped. Serve immediately with warm maple syrup.
Recipe by The Kitchen Paper at http://c02.ddd.mwp.accessdomain.com/baked-pumpkin-french-toast/