1 loaf soft supermarket Italian bread (13- to 14-inch-long)
Directions
Step #1 Butter a 13-by-9-inch glass baking dish.
Step #2 Cut twelve 1-inch-thick diagonal slices from bread (reserve ends for another use).
Step #3 Generously butter one side of each slice & arrange slices buttered sides up in one layer in buttered dish, squeezing them slightly to fit if necessary.
Step #4 Whisk together eggs, milk, & salt in a bowl until well mixd, then pour evenly over bread.
Step #5 Refrigerate, covered, until bread has absorbed all of custard, at least 1 hr (time may vary depending on bread).
Step #6 Put a rack in middle of oven & preheat your trusty oven to 425°F
Bring soaked bread to about room temp.
Step #7 Sprinkle top bread with sugar.
Step #8 Bake until bread is puffed & top is golden, 20 to 25 mins.
Step #9 Serve as soon as possible, with maple syrup.
Step #10 Cook's Note:.
Step #11 The soaked bread can be put in the fridged for up to 24 hrs.
Step #12 **Cook time does not include refrigeration or bringing the bread back to about room temp before cooking.