Traditional Bread Pudding
from http://www.momswhothink.com/

"This bread pudding recipe, from an old Amish cookbook, is absolutely incredible. It was copied, loaned out, scribbled on note cards and passed on by grandmothers, great-aunts, beloved neighbor ladies and those whose home cooking reaches the very soul of the family. This is the bread pudding people get dreamy-eyed over.

For a lot of us, it's nostalgia. A yearning for a simpler time when dessert was made from a few common kitchen ingredients. It's also the way it brings everyone into the kitchen, warm with the smell of cinnamon and vanilla fresh from the oven.

Whatever the reason this bread pudding becomes your number one comfort food; savor every bite. It is truly the soul satisfying treat that most people crave. Nothing beats warm bread pudding on a cold or rainy night."

2 cups whole milk (or 2 cups half & half)
1/4 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar (white or brown, depending on taste preference) - See Note below
3 eggs
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups bread, torn into small pieces (french bread works best)
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

In medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat milk (or half & half) just until film forms over top. Combine butter and milk, stirring until butter is melted. Cool to lukewarm.

Combine sugar, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed for 1 minute. Slowly add milk mixture.

Place bread in a lightly greased 1 1/2 quart casserole. Sprinkle with raisins if desired. Pour batter on top of bread.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 to 50 minutes or until set.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, half-n-half (unwhipped), Homemade Caramel Sauce from Sweetened Condensed Milk, or the Vanilla Cream Sauce below.

Note: If you make the sauce below, adjust the sugar in the bread pudding recipe to 1/3 cup. Other popular sauces are Bourbon Sauce and Rum Sauce.

Vanilla Cream Sauce:

2 c. milk (part cream)
1 egg, beaten
1/2 c. sugar
3 tbsp. flour
1 tbsp. vanilla flavoring

Mix first 4 ingredients and heat to a boil, turn down heat and cook 3 - 4 minutes, stirring constantly, until the flour is cooked and the sauce thickened. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla. Pour over warm bread pudding.