FRENCH BREAD PUDDING

French Bread Pudding image

Provided by Food Network

Time 50m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 cup sugar
8 Tbs. butter, softened (1 stick)
5 eggs, beaten
1 pint heavy cream (2 cups)
dash of cinnamon
1 Tbs. vanilla extract
1/4-cup raisins
12 slices of fresh or stale French bread, 1-inch thick
1 cup sugar
1 cup heavy cream or canned evaporated milk
1 cinnamon stick or dash of ground cinnamon
1 Tbs. unsalted butter or margarine
1/2-tsp. cornstarch
1 Tbs. bourbon
1/4-cup additional water

Steps:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream together sugar and butter. Add eggs, cream, cinnamon, vanilla, and raisins, mixing well. Pour into a 9-inch square pan 1-3/4 inches deep. Arrange bread slices flat in the egg mixture and let stand for 5 minutes to soak up the liquid. Turn bread over and let stand for 10 minutes longer, then push it down so it is covered by the egg mixture (do not break bread). Set pan in larger pan filled with water to 1/2-inch from top and cover with aluminum foil. Bake for 45-50 minutes, uncovering pudding for the last 10 minutes to brown the top. When done, custard should be soft, not firm.
BOURBON SAUCE: Combine sugar, cream/evaporated milk, cinnamon, and butter/margarine in a sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Add cornstarch mixed with 1/4-cup water. Cook, stirring, until sauce is clear. Remove from heat and stir in whiskey.