Pain Perdu

*P.S. this is not my picture. I hope to put my own up soon... these are swimming in butter sheesh. Doubting this is WeightWatchers friendly. But that's what flex points are for... right?? :-)*

Ingredients
5 eggs
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup cream or whole milk
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
12 slices slightly stale baguette or brioche sliced thick (about 1 3/4")
1/2 c salted butter - 1 stick


Directions
1. In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, cream, vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Beat until thick and foamy. Pour mixture into a shallow pan. Soak bread slices in the mixture for 1 to 2 minutes on each side until they are thoroughly soaked through.
2. Heat a griddle or frying pan over medium heat. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter at a time. Cook the bread slices 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Serve hot.

-OR-

Ingredients
2 slices French Bread (1-1/2 to 2 in thick)
Strawberry Preserves
2 eggs
2TBL half & half
Dash vanilla extract
Confectioners' sugar

Directions:
Cut the crust off the bottom side of the bread and then cut a pocket in the bottom. Fill the pocket with a heaping tablespoon of strawberry preserves and press the pocket closed. Beat eggs, half & half, and vanilla. Soak bread in egg mixture for a minute or so. In a deep fry pan, heat cooking oil (enough to completely cover the slice of bread) so that when you lay the filled slice of bread in it, it will brown quickly. As soon as it is brown on one side, turn over and brown on the other. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with confectioners' sugar.
Serving: 1