Cinnamon Raisin Bread Pudding with Maple Sauce

Cinnamon raisin bread adds flavour to this easy to make bread pudding. Serve warm with homemade maple sauce.

Bread Pudding:
¼ cup butter
8 slices (4 cups) cinnamon raisin bread, cut into 1" cubes
2 cups half and half cream
½ cup sugar
2 large eggs, slightly beaten
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
½ tsp. ground cinnamon

Sauce:
½ cup brown sugar, firmly packed
¼ cup butter
¼ cup pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp. half and half cream

Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C/160°C fan, Gas Mark 4).

Melt ¼ cup butter in 1½ qt casserole in oven. Add bread cubes; toss to coat.

Combine half and half, sugar, eggs, vanilla and cinnamon in bowl; stir to blend. Pour over bread cubes. Bake 40-45 minutes or until center is set.

Combine all sauce ingredients in 1 qt saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until mixture comes to a boil. Continue cooking 3-4 minutes or until mixture is thickened.

Serve warm sauce over warm bread pudding.

Makes 6 servings.