Baked French Toast with Sweet Pear Topping

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Ingredients:

For French Toast:

• 12 tablespoons prepared pear preserves
• 18 slices cinnamon raisin bread
• 8 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups half and half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For Sweet Pear Topping:

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 pears, peeled, cored and thinly sliced
• ½ cup raisins
• ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar

 
Directions:

For French Toast:

1. Spray a 13x9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Spread 1 tablespoon pear preserves evenly on 2 slices of cinnamon bread. Stack slices, preserves sides up.
3. Top stack with a plain bread slice, set aside.
4. Repeat procedure with remaining bread slices and preserves. Place stacks in a single layer in prepared baking dish. 
5. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs until blended.  Add half and half and vanilla, whisking until smooth. 
6. Slowly pour egg mixture over stacks. 
7. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
8. Uncover baking dish and let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. 
9. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes or until center is set and top is golden brown. 
10. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving. Serve with Sweet Pear Topping.

For Sweet Pear Topping:

1. In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add pears and raisins, cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally or until pears are tender.
2. Add brown sugar, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.