Prep: 10 min Total: 20 min Serves: 4

1 medium baguette, cut into 3/4-in (about 18 slices)
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
4 slices of bacon
2 tbsp melted butter, divided

1 medium baguette, cut into 3/4-in (about 18 slices) 2 eggs 1 cup milk 1/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp nutmeg 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp salt 4 slices of bacon 2 tbsp melted butter, divided

PACK baguette slices into a 9x13-in baking dish. Whisk eggs in a medium bowl. Whisk in milk, sugar, spices, vanilla and salt. Pour mixture evenly over bread. Turn bread over to fully soak up mixture. Let stand, 10 min.

COOK bacon in a non-stick frying pan until almost crisp, 4-6 min. Transfer to paper towels. Cut each slice into 4 pieces.

POSITION oven racks in top and bottom thirds of oven. Preheat to 450F. Brush 2 large baking sheets with 2 tsp melted butter. Place soaked bread slices on baking sheets, mopping up excess egg mixture with any dry-looking bread slices. To ensure French toast browns evenly, spread slices out in a single layer, making sure they are well separated.

BAKE in top and bottom thirds of oven, about 8 min. Remove from oven, brush tops of bread with remaining butter, then turn slices over. Top each slice with a piece of bacon. Rotate and switch sheets. Continue to bake until crusty and golden brown, 6-8 min.