1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons sugar (divided)
1 tablespoon cornstarch
5 ripe pears, cored, peeled & chopped (4 cups)
1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
1/3 cup 1% milk
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 slices of your favorite Breadsmith bread
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Stir together 1/4 cup of sugar & cornstarch in an 8-inch baking dish. Add pears & cranberries; stir until well combined. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring midway. Meanwhile, whisk together milk, eggs & vanilla in large shallow pan. Cut bread slices in half diagonally; soak bread in egg mixture. Remove fruit from oven. Arrange bread in rows on top of fruit. Combine nutmeg and remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in small bowl; sprinkle evenly over bread. Bake 20 minutes longer, or until fruit is bubbling and bread is golden. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.