NIGHT-BEFORE BAKED FRENCH TOAST

1 large loaf French bread, slice in 1-inch slices
8 large eggs
3 cups milk
4 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
butter

Night before: Grease a 9X13 inch baking dish. Lightly butter 1 side of each bread slice, put in baking dish, buttered side up. Beat the eggs together with the remaining ingredients and pour mixture over the bread slices in dish. Cover cover tightly and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, bake, uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes or until puffy and browned. Serve with warm maple syrup or fruit sauce. Serves 8.

For variety: Mix some brown sugar with some butter and place in bottom of pan and add bread slices over that. May also add chopped nuts. For richer toast substitute some of the milk with half-and-half cream.

Note: File Photo