baked baguette pain doré

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I made this recipe up a while ago but there are tons of versions online available. I just didn't look for one because you can't really go wrong with french toast. I mean, you could add too much egg and not enough milk, and then you'd have a sweet omelet at the base of some pieces of bread I suppose... but otherwise it's a really forgiving meal! Pain doré is the french word for french toast, but if you're using a baguette, you've got to call it pain doré, non?

Super simple recipe - just remember the rule of twos. Mix together in a large bowl:

• 2 cups milk (I've used 3.25% and vanilla almond and a mix of both in the past - all are good!)
• 2 eggs
• 2 TB sugar

Then add any additional flavouring you want (vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, sliced almonds, blueberries, comme tu veux!).

Slice a baguette (ideally slightly stale) into 12-15 pieces. Thicker bread needs more coating in the egg mixture, thinner slices need less.

Pour the egg mixture over the slices of baguette in a rectangular (read: lasagna) pan and flip bread many times to make sure it's completely soaked up the mix. Let it sit for 30 minutes.

Then bake @ 350 for 20 minutes, flipping the bread half way through.

At the very end, take out the bread and switch your oven to broil and broil the pain doré for just a minute, until you get some dark spots on the top.

I don't know exactly how long yours will take, it all depends on your oven, how thick your bread is, what type of milk you use, etc., so keep your eyes on it!

It's VERY easy to make but looks super impressive. I promise, other than oven time it takes minutes and the kids can help you, too. Perfect for having friends over for brunch, or, let's be honest, dessert with your girlfriends when you're watching Downton Abby. Ahem. Enjoy!