Photo by Rita Maas
YIELD: Makes 10 to 12 servings
ACTIVE TIME: 30 min
TOTAL TIME: 2 hr
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Butter both sides of bread slices and arrange in 1 layer on a large baking sheet. Bake in middle of oven, turning over once, until lightly toasted, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a rack to cool.
Whisk together half-and-half, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt until sugar is dissolved. Halve toasted bread slices diagonally and arrange triangles in rows, overlapping slightly, in a buttered 3-quart shallow baking dish.
Pour custard evenly over toast and let stand 15 minutes.
Bake pudding in a hot water bath until custard is set 2 to 3 inches from edges but still trembles in center, 50 to 60 minutes. (Custard will continue to set as it cools.) Serve warm.