New Orleans Bourbon Bread Pudding
by Karen Mussoline
Email:kmussoline@icloud.com

URL Source: http://www.cookscountry.com/recipe.asp?recipeids=3801
Source: Cook's Country Magazine
Course: Desserts
Cuisine: Cajun
Food Group: Dairy
Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 French baguette (18- to 20-inch), torn into 1-inch pieces (10 cups)
1 cup(s) golden raisins
3/4 cup(s) bourbon
8 large egg yolks
1-1/2 cup(s) packed light brown sugar
3 cup(s) heavy cream
1 cup(s) whole milk
1 teaspoon(s) vanilla extract
1-1/2 teaspoon(s) ground cinnamon , divided
1/4 teaspoon(s) nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon(s) salt
3 tablespoon(s) granulated sugar
6 tablespoon(s) unsalted butter , cubed and chilled, plus extra for baking dish

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 450 degrees. Arrange bread in single layer on baking sheet and bake until crisp and browned, about 12 minutes, turning pieces over halfway through drying time and rotating baking sheet front to back. Let bread cool. Reduce oven temperature to 300 degrees.

2. Meanwhile, heat raisins with 1/2 cup bourbon in small saucepan over medium-high heat until bourbon begins to simmer, 2 to 3 minutes. Strain mixture, reserving bourbon and raisins separately.

3. Butter 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Whisk yolks, brown sugar, cream, milk, vanilla, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in large bowl. Whisk in remaining 1/4 cup bourbon plus bourbon used to plump raisins. Toss in toasted bread until evenly coated. Let mixture sit until bread begins to absorb custard, about 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. If majority of bread is still hard when squeezed, soak for another 15 to 20 minutes.

4. Pour half of bread mixture into prepared baking dish and sprinkle with half of raisins. Pour remaining bread mixture into dish and sprinkle with remaining raisins. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, mix granulated sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon in small bowl. Using fingers, cut 6 tablespoons butter into sugar mixture until size of small peas. Remove foil from pudding, sprinkle with butter mixture, and bake, uncovered, until custard is just set, 20 to 25 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees and bake until top of pudding forms golden crust, about 2 minutes. Transfer to wire rack and cool at least 30 minutes or up to 2 hours. Serve. (Leftover bread pudding should be refrigerated; reheat individual portions in microwave.)

Notes:Make sure to make the Bourbon Sauce for the bread pudding...