Classically Southern... most people will have this as dessert. However in the South, the combination of eggs, butter, and bread make it perfect breakfast food. I often make this for the kids for holiday breakfasts or on days when a treat is needed. This was on the menu of the brunch following Mary's baby dedication and certainly anytime there was a hurricane threat I would make a pan of this bread pudding. I have had best results with leftover French baguettes, but loaves of Cuban bread give this dish substance also.

Don’t overbake the pudding —remove it from the oven when the center still trembles slightly.

Preheat the oven to 375°

• 12 or 13 slices French bread, crusts removed (not sourdough)
• 8 tablespoons (I stick) butter, room temperature
• 5 eggs
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 cups milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• Confectioner’s sugar for sprinkling

Butter one side of each slice of bread and set aside. If there is butter leftover, melt it and pour over bread after it is layered in baking pan. Put the eggs, yolks, granulated sugar, and salt in a large bowl and beat until thoroughly mixed. Pour the milk and cream into a heavy-bottomed saucepan and heat until scalded (tiny bubbles will form around the edge of the pan). Remove from the heat and, whisking briskly, slowly add the egg mixture. Stir in the vanilla.  

Have ready enough boiling water to come 2 1/2 inches up the sides of a pot large enough to hold a 2-quart baking dish. Butter the baking dish. Layer the bread, buttered side up, in the baking dish. Strain the custard into the dish (the bread will float to the top). Put the pot of boiling water into the oven and then put the custard-filled dish into it.

Bake about 45 minutes, or until the custard is set except for a slight tremble in the center. Remove from the oven and sprinkle confectioners’ sugar on top. It is delicious hot or cold, and just perfect with a little unsweetened heavy cream poured over. We also like to sprinkle brown sugar over it along with the heavy cream. Or some sliced and sugared berries for a sublime addition.