Athena Custard French Bread

Innkeepers Jack and Gayle Carpentier
VYC Yacht Charters - MV Athena
San Francisco, CA

Innkeeper Comments:

We found this tasty recipe during our travels -- the stained handwritten card came from a small B&B in Northern California. Unfortunately, that B&B doesn't exist any longer, but the recipe survives! (It's hardly dietetic, but great for a special occasion splurge.)

Ingredients:

one loaf french bread cut into 1-inch slices
2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
4 whole eggs
2 egg yolks
1/2 cup sugar
3 cups milk
1 cup heavy cream
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
powdered sugar
fresh berries
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350. Brush both sides of bread with melted butter. Arrange bread in a 9" x 12" baking pan. Beat the eggs and yolks together then add the remaining ingredients (except powdered sugar and fresh berries). Pour over the bread. Place the custard dish in a larger pan and pour hot water into the larger pan to come about halfway up the sides of the pan.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until lightly browned and puffy. Let rest 10-15 minutes before serving. Dust with powdered sugar and sprinkle with fresh berries.