Unsalted butter, room temperature, for dish
1 can (15 ounces) pure pumpkin puree
1 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup light-brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
3/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
10 ounces day-old bread, such as brioche or sourdough, cut into 1/2-inch slices or 1-inch cubes
1/2 cup pecans, roughly chopped
Dulce de Leche, carmel syrup or heavy cream for topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2-quart baking dish. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin puree, milk, cream, eggs, brown sugar, salt, vanilla, cinnamon, and anise seed. Arrange bread in dish. Pour custard over bread and top with pecans. Bake until custard is set, 45 minutes. Let cool slightly. Serve warm or at room temperature, drizzled with dulce de leche, carmel or cream.

Note: I forgot the vanilla, realized this as I was posting the recipe oops.