3 eggs, lightly beaten
2/3 c. milk
3 tbsp. sugar (optional)
1/4 tsp. pure vanilla extract
8 slices French or Italian bread, each 1 inch thick, cut on the diagonal
4 tbsp. butter

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine eggs, milk, sugar, if using, and vanilla in a large flat dish, large enough to hold all of the bread slices in a single layer. Soak bread slices in this mixture 2 minutes. Turn and continue to soak until the bread has absorbed all of the liquid. Place butter in a 13 x 9 inch baking dish and melt the butter in oven, watching carefully. Add the bread, in one layer, and bake for 15 minutes. Turn and continue to bake for 10 minutes, or until golden.