1 1/2 lbs. French bread, crust trimmed
2 qts. (8 c.) milk
1/4 lb. butter
2 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
4 eggs

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch glass baking dish. Melt butter over low heat. Crumble bread into a big bowl. Add milk and mix thoroughly until well blended. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla extract; mix. Beat eggs lightly; add and mix. Add melted butter; mix thoroughly and pour into baking dish. Bake for 1 1/2 hours on the middle rack of oven (put a large aluminum pan on the rack underneath to collect drippings). Allow to cool on wire rack and serve in the baking dish.