Fruitcake Overnight French Toast

Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Toss bread, orange peel and cherries in the prepared pan. Whisk eggs in a large bowl. Add milk, butter, brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice, vanilla and salt; whisk to combine. Pour the custard over the bread mixture. Sprinkle with pecans. Coat a piece of foil with cooking spray and cover the pan, coated-side down. Place another 9-by-13-inch baking dish on top as a weight. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 1 day.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Remove the top baking dish, leaving the foil in place. Let stand at room temperature while the oven preheats.

Bake the casserole, covered, for 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until golden, 20 to 25 minutes more. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.