Overnight Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Caramelized Pears

This cross between bread pudding and French toast is an ideal make-ahead brunch dish. Choose bread with a soft, thin crust, but opt for a good-quality artisan white bread from the bakery rather than a regular packaged brand. Use apples instead of pears if you like, or omit the fruit (or swap in sliced bananas) and serve the French toast drizzled with maple syrup.