French Toast with Pears

Ingredients

• 3medium pears, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced

• 2tablespoons packed brown sugar

• 1/2teaspoon snipped fresh rosemary

• 2tablespoons butter

• 14 - 15half-inch slices French bread (about 1 loaf)

• 8ounces Brie cheese, rind removed and cheese thinly sliced

• 2tablespoons butter, melted

• 3tablespoons granulated sugar

• 1teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 1/2cups milk

• 3eggs

• 1tablespoon vanilla

• 1/4teaspoon salt

• Warm maple syrup, fresh berries, and honey, or purchased cranberry conserve

• Directions

  1. Grease a 3-quart rectangular baking dish; set aside. In a large skillet cook pears, brown sugar, and rosemary in 2 tablespoons butter over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes or until pears are just tender. Arrange 7 or 8 bread slices in a single layer in prepared baking dish. Spoon pear mixture and arrange Brie on bread slices. Top each stack with a bread slice. Brush bread with melted butter. Combine granulated sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle evenly over bread. In a medium bowl whisk together milk, eggs, vanilla, and salt. Slowly pour over bread slices. Cover and chill for 1 to 24 hours.
  2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until edges are puffed and golden. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve warm with maple syrup, berries, and honey, or cranberry conserve. Makes 8 servings.