INGREDIENTS
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1 (12-inch) piece day-old baguette, cut into 1/3-inch slices, then slices halved crosswise (4 cups)
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3 cups half-and-half
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1/2 cup sugar
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1/8 teaspoon salt
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10 oz fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened), chopped
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6 large eggs
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1 teaspoon vanilla
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
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Accompaniment: unsweetened whipped cream