Ingredients

• 1 loaf bread, torn into small pieces (I like breakfast or raisin bread)
• 4 cups milk
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 5 eggs, beaten
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup butter or 1/2 cup margarine, melted
• 1 tablespoon orange zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2-1 cup raisins (I add raisins if not using raisin bread) (optional)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 cup butter or 1/4 cup margarine

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Butter a 9x13-inch baking dish.

3. In a large bowl, combine bread, milk and cream. Chop with two knives to combine well. Let stand 10 minutes.

4. Stir in eggs, sugar, melted butter, orange peel, vanilla, cinnamon (1/2 teaspoon), nutmeg and raisins (if using).

5. Pour into prepared pan.

6. To make topping: combine sugar (1/2 cup), water and cinnamon (1 teaspoon) in a small bowl.

7. Sprinkle over bread pudding mixture and dot with butter.

8. Bake for 30-40 minutes or until tester comes out clean (I use a knife to test for doneness).

9. Cool in pan on rack and cut into squares to serve.

10. Delicious topped with whipped cream.