Bread Pudding in Casserole with Vanilla Sauce

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups day-old bread, cubed
2 cups milk
2 large eggs
1/2 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup melted butter
1/3 cup raisins (optional)

For the Vanilla Sauce:

1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a casserole dish.

Whisk together milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt in a large bowl.

Soak the bread cubes in this mixture for 10 minutes.

Fold in raisins if using.

Drizzle the mixture with melted butter and toss gently …