1 (10 oz.) loaf stale French bread, broken (or 6-8 c. any type bread)
4 c. milk (or 1/2 milk, 1/2 heavy cream)
2 c. sugar
8 tbsp. butter, melted
3 eggs
2 tbsp. vanilla
1 c. raisins
1 c. shredded coconut
1 c. chopped pecans
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Combine all ingredients, mixture should be very moist but not soupy. Pour into buttered 9 x 9 inch baking dish. Place on middle rack of oven. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes until top is golden brown. Serve warm with sauce. (Note: A variety of fruits may be used in place of raisins, coconut and pecans and should equal 3-4 cups total.)

WHISKEY SAUCE:

1/2 c. butter (1 stick or 1/4 lb.)
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 egg, yolk or whole
1/2 c. bourbon (to taste)

Cream butter and sugar over medium heat until all butter is absorbed. Remove from heat and blend in egg. Pour in bourbon gradually to your own taste, stirring constantly. Sauce will thicken as it cools. Serve warm over bread pudding.