Baked French Toast, New Orleans Style

• slices French bread (1-inch)↗12
• eggs↗4
• half-and-half↗1 cup
• sugar↗1 tablespoon
• ground nutmeg↗1⁄8 teaspoon
• For the Pear Topping
• butter↗2 tablespoons
• ripe pears, thinly sliced,cored↗2
• water↗1 tablespoon
• cornstarch↗1 teaspoon
• honey↗1⁄3 cup

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Spray a 12 x 8 inch casserole or baking dish with nonstick spray or lightly grease with butter.

2. 2

   Arrange slices of bread across bottom of dish, completely covering bottom (squeeze in more if the bottom shows).

3. 3

   In a mixing bowl, combine eggs, half and half, sugar and nutmeg; beat well.

4. 4

   Pour evenly over the bread, then cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

5. 5

   Before baking, preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

6. 6

   Uncover, and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until puffed and golden brown.

7. 7

   Meanwhile, prepare sauce, by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat.

8. 8

   Add the pears, and cook 2 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally.

9. 9

   In a small bowl, combine water and cornstarch, blending well; add honey and cornstarch to the pears and cook 2 minutes, stirring, or until mixture thickens and is bubbly.

10. 10

    Serve sauce over French toast.