Bourbon Bread Pudding

An excellent bread pudding that my girlfriend makes every year for our Kentucky Derby party. It's always a hit! From Bon Appétit, July 1997.

• Ready In: 40 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 1 bread pudding

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup raisins
• 1⁄3 cup Bourbon (or brandy)
• 3  tablespoons Bourbon, additional (or brandy)
• 12  ounces  fresh  French bread, crusts trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 1 1⁄2 cups milk (do not use low-fat or nonfat)
• 1  cup sugar
• 3⁄4 cup  whipping cream
• 3  large eggs
• 3  large  egg yolks
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄4 cup unsalted butter

Directions

1. Combine raisins and 1/3 cup bourbon in small bowl. Soak for 30 minutes. Drain.
2. Preheat oven to 375°F Place bread in large bowl. Whisk milk, 3/4 cup sugar, cream, eggs, 2 egg yolks, vanilla and cinnamon in medium bowl to blend. Pour egg mixture over bread. Add raisins; mix gently to coat bread. Transfer mixture to 9×5x3-inch glass loaf baking dish.
3. Cover baking dish with foil. Bake pudding 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake until top is golden and tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 minutes longer. Cool slightly.
4. Melt butter in top of double boiler set over simmering water. Add 3 tablespoons bourbon, 1/4 cup sugar and 1 egg yolk. Whisk until mixture thickens slightly and candy thermometer registers 160°F, about 1 minute. Remove from heat.
5. Cut hot or warm bread pudding into 6 slices. Transfer to plates. Spoon bourbon sauce over each portion and serve.