Bread Pudding with Lemon Cream Sauce

• 6 slices day-old bread
• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
• 4 eggs, beaten
• 2 cups milk
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.
3. In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

• LEMON CREAM SAUCE:
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 cup heavy cream

In a small saucepan, combine the cornstarch and sugar. Stir in water; cook and stir until thickened and clear. Remove from the heat; stir in lemon juice. Cool. In a mixing bowl, whip the cream; fold cooled mixture into cream. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use. For pudding, combine dry ingredients in another mixing bowl. Cut in butter with a pastry blender until particles are the size of small peas. Add eggs and milk and beat on low until thoroughly combine. Spread into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. Sprinkle berries over batter. Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until cake tests done. Serve warm or cold with Lemon Cream Sauce.