Raisin-Craisin Bread pudding

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    A few things led me to this recipe.   First-It is Fall!  Our weather has cooled down and to me, that means it is baking weather!  Second-My husband and I are suddenly empty nesters again and we were left with more milk than we could use, so I needed to find recipes that called for milk!  Third-I had a variety of bread heels and odds and ends in my bread box that were perfect for Bread Pudding! 
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     Bread Pudding is such an old fashioned comfort food, and I don't always think to bake it.  But, when all of those elements came together, it was like a perfect storm! A deliciously perfect baking storm! And, since today is a bit rainy, (something we love in Phoenix), a dish of warm bread pudding tastes even better.  
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     Now, some people don't like raisins or even craisins, but in our house we love them.  They are such a bright burst of flavor in a warm dish.  I decided that they would be perfect in this bread pudding.  I like to rehydrate my raisins and craisins by simmering them in some water or apple juice or orange juice.  I simply used water in this recipe but you could change that out easily.  Now I'm thinking about the OJ idea and I think I will try that the next time I make it. 
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     There are all kinds of thoughts about what kind of bread to use in a bread pudding.  When I was growing up, my mom simply used whatever we had, normally the heels that none of us kids wanted to eat or any bread that was getting slightly stale.  Bread Pudding is a great way to use up an over abundance of bread.  This time I used a couple of potato bread heels, a lone hot dog bun and a few slices of honey-oatmeal bread.  I think the variety only adds to the flavor of the pudding.  If you want, you could choose to use leftover baguettes, sour dough, brioche...the possibilities are endless.  
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Raisin-Craisin Bread Pudding

     I didn't want to use more eggs to make a vanilla custard sauce to pour over the top of the pudding.  So, I just made the simple buttery vanilla glaze to drizzle over the top when serving.  But, the pudding tastes great all alone, too. 
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Other Pudding Recipes That We Love! 

• Old Fashioned Rice Pudding
• Crock Pot Bread Pudding
• Homemade Spoon Candy
• Eggless Homemade Chocolate Pudding
• Crock Pot Surprise Pudding

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