8large slices hearty white sandwich bread or good quality challah bread
1 1/2cupswhole milk, *warmed
3large egg yolks
3tablespoonslight brown sugar
1/2teaspoonground cinnamon
2tablespoonsunsalted butter, melted, plus 2 tablespoons for cooking
1/4teaspoonsalt
1tablespoonsvanilla extract
Instructions
Adjust the oven to middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Place bread on wire rack set in rimmed baking sheet. Bake bread until almost dry throughout. Center should remain slightly moist, about 16 minutes, flipping slices halfway through cooking. Remove bread from rack and let cool 5 minutes. Return baking sheet with wire rack to oven and reduce temperature to 200 degrees.
Whisk milk, yolks, sugar, cinnamon, 2 tablespoons melted butter, salt, and vanilla in a large bowl until well blended. Transfer to a 9x13 inch baking pan.
Soak bread in milk mixture until saturated but not falling apart. About 20 seconds per side. Using a firm slotted spatula, pick up bread slice and allow excess milk mixture to drip off, repeat with remaining slices. Place soaked bread on another baking sheet or platter.
Heat 1/2 tablespoon butter in a 12 inch skillet over medium low heat. When foaming subsides, use slotted spatula to transfer 2 soaked slices to skillet or griddle and cook until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and continue to cook until second side is golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes longer. If toast is cooking too quickly, reduce temperature slightly. Transfer to baking sheet in oven. Wipe off skillet with paper towel. Repeat until all bread slices are cooked. Serve immediately.
Notes
-*Warming the milk helps the milk and melted butter to mix together without the melted butter solidifying in cold milk.