Best Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce

Pudding:
4 cups cubed white bread crumbs
1/2 cup raisins
2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs (beaten)
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Vanilla Sauce:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. For pudding, in a large bowl, combine bread crumbs and raisins. In a small saucepan, combine milk and 1/4 cup butter. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted, 4 to 7 minutes. Pour milk mixture over bread; let stand 10 minutes.

Stir in remaining pudding ingredients. Pour into greased 9x9-inch casserole pan. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes or until set in center.

For vanilla sauce, in small saucepan, combine 1/2 cup sugar, brown sugar, whipping cream and 1/2 cup butter. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until mixture thickens and comes to a full boil, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in 1 tsp. vanilla. Serve sauce over warm pudding. Store in refrigerator.

Makes 6 servings.

AUTHOR: TUDDLES