1-Gather and prepare all ingredients, including 3/4 cup half and half, 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 4 large eggs, 2 1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and the spices: 1 1/4 teaspoons cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon ginger, and 1/8 teaspoon cloves. Preheat your oven to 225°F and heat an electric griddle to 350°F or a non-stick skillet over medium heat.

2-In a shallow dish, whisk together the pumpkin puree, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves until well combined.

3-Add the half and half and whisk until fully blended to create a smooth custard.

4-Dip each of the 9 slices of hearty white bread into the mixture, soaking both sides for about one minute per side for the best flavor absorption.

5-Butter the griddle with 2 to 3 tablespoons of butter and cook the soaked bread slices until golden brown on one side.

6-Butter the griddle again, flip the slices, and cook until golden brown on the other side.

7-Transfer the cooked slices to a rack in the oven to keep warm and finish cooking through the center, up to 10 minutes. Then, serve warm with maple syrup or your preferred toppings.