1 (10 oz.) loaf French or Italian bread
4 tbsp. butter
8 lg. eggs
1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. milk
1 tbsp. sugar
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
Cinnamon (optional)

Use 2 tablespoons butter to coat a 9 x 13 inch pan. Cut bread in 1 inch slices. Arrange in pan or baking dish. Beat eggs and next 4 ingredients; pour over top of bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Dot with the rest of the butter. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 to 50 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before cutting into squares. Top with syrup. This is great made the day before Christmas to heat up Christmas morning. Makes breakfast so special with out any fuss.