Chancery Restaurants Bread Pudding

Chancery Restaurants Bread Pudding

1/2 C. raisins

6 T. good-quality whiskey

12 oz. French bread

3 T. butter, at room temperature

4 eggs

1 C. sugar

Pinch of salt

3 to 3 1/2 C. 2% milk (liquid will depend on how dry bread is)

1 C. whipping cream

Pecan halves (use 6 to 8 pecans per serving)

Rum-caramel sauce (see recipe)

Vanilla ice cream

Soak raisins in whiskey for 30 minutes.

Open French bread and butter the top and bottom of the inside. Close bread and cut into thirds the long way. Cut bread 11 times the short way to make small buttered bread cubes.

Mix together eggs, sugar, milk and cream. Add reserved bread and the raisin mixture with the whiskey. Mix gently until all liquid is absorbed into bread. Gently squeeze bread cubes to break up slightly, but do not overmix.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Divide mixture among 8 10-ounce heat-proof bowls. Bake each dessert on top rack of oven 15 minutes or until puffy and lightly browned. Remove from oven; cool slightly. Place each serving on 10-inch round plate and top with pecans and rum sauce. Add a large scoop of ice cream and serve immediately. Makes 8 servings.