Pain Perdu

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons vanilla extract 
• 12 slices bread 
• 0.3 cup butter divided
• 5  eggs separated
• 0.3 teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• 1 tablespoon lemon zest grated
• 2 cups milk 
• 1 cup sugar divided
• 2 tablespoons frangelico divided
• 2 tablespoons frangelico divided

Equipment

• frying pan
• sauce pan
• spatula

Directions

1. Bring milk to a boil in a small saucepan.
2. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup sugar and brandy.
3. Place bread slices in a single layer in a 15- x 10- x 1-inch jellyroll pan.
4. Pour milk mixture over bread, and let stand 10 minutes.
5. Drain off excess milk.
6. Beat egg yolks until thick and lemon colored.
7. Add 2 tablespoons sugar and lemon rind, beating well. Beat egg whites (at room temperature) until soft peaks form. Gradually add 2 tablespoons sugar, beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into egg yolk mixture.
8. Spread egg mixture evenly over bread; let stand 30 minutes.
9. Melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon lard in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lift bread slices, one at a time, with a spatula, and place in hot butter mixture. Cook 2 to 3 at a time until golden brown, turning once.
10. Remove to a platter, and keep warm. Repeat procedure with remaining bread slices, adding butter and lard as needed.
11. Combine remaining 1/4 cup sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over bread slices.
12. Serve warm.