Baked Cinnamon French Toast

12 slices cinnamon swirl bread
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
9 eggs
1 quart milk
2 Cups whipping cream
1 Cup sugar
4 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
warmed blackberry preserves, optional
whipped cream, optional
Line the bottom of a greased 9 x 13 baking dish with six slices of bread.
Butter remaining bread; place with butter side up. In a mixing bowl, beat eggs. Add milk, cream, sugar and vanilla; mix well. Pour over bread; let stand for 15 minutes. Place the dish in a larger baking pan. Pour boiling water into larger pan to a depth of 1 inch. (I have done it without and it turns out fine.) Bake, uncovered at 375 degrees for 40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Let stand 10 minutes before serving. Top with preserves and whipped cream, if desired. 6 servings. Can be served with syrup and any other kind of fruit.