butter for greasing dish
10-12 toasted bread slices
1/2 c. raisins (or more if desired)
1/2 c. butter, melted
1 heaping tsp. ground cinnamon
1 c. sugar granulated sugar
3 eggs
2 1/2 c. milk
2 tbsp. cornstarch with a little milk

Grease an 8 x 8 inch deep baking dish or 3 quart casserole with butter. Break up bread into pieces put in dish alternately with raisins. Drizzle melted butter slowly over bread and raisins; mix cinnamon and sugar.

Beat eggs until frothy. Add sugar and cornstarch mixture to milk and blend well. Pour this mixture over bread and raisin. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 1 hour or so. Yield 10-12 servings.

Use vanilla pudding or this:

1/4 c. (1/2 stick) butter
1/2 c. confectioners' sugar
2 tbsp. cornstarch
3-4 tbsp. rum or to taste

Melt butter, slowly in saucepan. Remove from heat. Add cornstarch and sugar; mix well. Return to stove. Add water as needed to prevent lumping use as much water as needed to make a thin sauce; bring to a boil. Immediately remove from heat. Add rum. Serve warm over warm bread pudding.