Preheat the oven to a moderately hot 190c. Butter the bread (1st remove the crusts), then cut into halves and arrange in a large buttered baking dish. Beat eggs together with the sugar, vanilla and Cointreau. Scald the milk with the cream and add the chocolate and stir until melted. Pour this hot liquid into the egg mixture, mixing well.
Strain the custard over the bread halves and soak for around 15 mins. Set the dish in a pan of hot water and bake until knife inserted in the centre comes out clean, or until risen and golden. This should take around 1 hour. Dust with Icing sugar and serve with cream or ice-cream
