Ingredients
- 1 (13- to 14-inch-long) loaf soft supermarket Italian bread
- ½ stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ⅔ cups whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- Accompaniment: pure maple syrup
Directions
1. Butter a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish. Cut twelve 1-inch-thick diagonal slices from bread (reserve ends for another use). Generously butter one side of each slice and arrange slices buttered sides up in one layer in buttered dish, squeezing them slightly to fit if necessary. |
2. Whisk together eggs, milk, and salt in a bowl until well combined, then pour evenly over bread. Refrigerate, covered, until bread has absorbed all of custard, at least 1 hour (time may vary depending on bread). |
3. Put a rack in middle of oven and preheat oven to 425° F. Bring soaked bread to room temperature. |
4. Sprinkle bread with sugar. Bake until bread is puffed and top is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately, with maple syrup. |
5. Cook''s Note: |
6. The soaked bread can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours. |