Brunch Craving: Horchata French Toast

Ingredients

• 1 good-quality French baguette (about 15 inches long by 4 inches wide)
• 8 to 12 tablespoons (4 to 6 ounces) butter
• 1 1/2 cups almond milk
• 3 tablespoons uncooked white rice
• A 2-inch piece of cinnamon stick
• 3 egg yolks
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• salt
• Toasted slivered almonds (optional)
• About 1 cup Piloncillo syrup (recipe below) or maple syrup
• 2 cups (8 ounces) chopped piloncillo (Mexican raw sugar)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract