Colette's Bread Puddin'

My family was introduced to the joy of bread pudding from our friend Colette Shultz. She also taught us about grilled PB&J sandwiches. We are larger and happier.

2 cups sugar
5 eggs
2 cups of 1/2 and 1/2
3 cups of stale French or Italian bread into 1" cubes
1/2 cup of brown sugar
1/2 cup butter softened
(optional) 1/2 cups raisins and 1/2 cup of nuts

Put bread into a casserole dish. Mix sugar, eggs and milk together add vanilla. Pour over bread cubes. Let sit for about 10 minutes. In another bowl mix together brown sugar, butter, raisins, and nuts. Sprinkle over the top of bread mixture and bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes.

This is a very rich dessert and you can top with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream just a little dab will do.