Herschleb Ice Cream Company Bread Pudding and Butter Sauce

Source: Herschleb Ice Cream Company, Inc. - Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin

2 7/8 pounds of 5/8-inch bread cubes made from
    homemade bread, or enough to generously fill
    a 13 x 9-inch pan (see note)
1 cup raisins
1 cup (2 sticks) butter (do not substitute margarine)
6 cups 2% milk (do not substitute skim or 1% milk,
    although whole milk can be used)
1 7/8 cups granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
8 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Butter Sauce (see recipe)

Grease 13 x 9-inch pan well with solid vegetable shortening. Do not use vegetable oil spray.

Combine bread cubes and raisins in large bowl and mound into prepared pan. Bread should be piled 2 to 3 inches over top of pan. Over medium heat, melt butter in milk. Add sugar and cinnamon and let cool. Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Pour liquid over bread cubes and press well to be sure bread soaks up all the liquid. At this point bread mixture should be level with pan.

Bake in preheated oven 45 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly, then cut into desired number of pieces or spoon into decorative serving dishes. Add desired amount of warm sauce to each serving. Refrigerate any unused pudding and sauce and reheat to serve. Makes about 12 to 16 servings.

NOTE: Use bakery bread or homemade bread that has been dried out one day, and cubed with crusts on. White, whole-wheat or raisin breads work best. Do not substitute. Quantity equals 1 1/2 large loaves.

Butter Sauce
1 cup (2 sticks) butter
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup half and half cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Melt butter in heavy saucepan. Add sugar and cornstarch and stir until dissolved. Add half and half and bring to boil. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. When mixture is cooled, add vanilla extract and stir.

Serve warm or refrigerate and reheat in microwave oven.