Butter your bread and remove the crusts if you like.

Slice bread diagonally if it will help your layering in the pie dish

Begin stacking in an oven proof dish, buttered side up. Cut some pieces to get a good fit if necessary A square or rectangular dish is easier to stack in

When you have one layer in place, scatter on a small helping of the dried fruit

Repeat until your dish is full

...pour in enough custard so that it pools a little. Allow to sink in and soak the bread for about 30 minutes.

Scatter with demerara sugar, some cinnamon if using, and even some citrus peel if you fancy a little extra tang, then pop in the oven

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until it turns golden brown with a nice crust, and the filling has puffed up a little

Serve hot, with jam and any left over custard...

By the way, don't forget to put your butter away... 😸