New Orleans Style Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce

Ingredients:

• 12 to 14 cups 1-inch cubes day-old white bread, such as French or Italian
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 4 cups whole milk
• 6 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 4 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup raisins
• Confectioners' sugar, for garnish
• 1 recipe Whiskey Sauce, recipe follows

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Place the bread in a large bowl.
3. Grease a 9 by 13-inch casserole dish with the remaining tablespoon of butter and set aside.
4. Combine the heavy cream, milk, eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, and raisins in a large bowl. Whisk to mix.
5. Pour the cream mixture over the bread, and stir to combine.
6. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for 30 to 45 minutes.
7. Transfer the bread mixture to the casserole dish and bake until the center of the bread pudding is set, 50 to 60 minutes.
8. Garnish the bread pudding with confectioners' sugar and serve warm with warm Whiskey Sauce.

Whiskey Sauce:

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/2 cup granulated white sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3/4 cup bourbon or other whiskey
• Pinch salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Instructions:

1. In a 1-quart saucepan set over medium heat, combine the cream, milk, and sugar.
2. Place the cornstarch and 1/4 cup of the bourbon in a small mixing bowl and whisk to blend and make a slurry.
3. Pour the slurry into the cream mixture and bring to a boil.
4. Once the sauce begins to boil, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
5. Remove the sauce from the heat, add the salt, and stir in the butter and the remaining 1/2 cup of bourbon.
6. Serve warm.