Creole Bread Pudding & Bourbon Sauce

Prep time : 20 minutes ... Total time : ... 1 hour - 15 minutes (incl. sauce)

***********Makes 10 to 12 servings********

2 --------------(12 ounce) cans evaporated milk

6 --------------large eggs , lightly beaten

1---------------(16 ounce) day old French Bread loaf , cubed

1 --------------(8 ounce) can crushed pineapple , drianed

1 --------------large Red Delicious apple , unpeeled and grated

1 - 1/2 -------cups sugar

1 --------------cup raisins

5 --------------tablespoons vanilla extract

1/4 -----------cup butter , cut into 1/2-inch cubes and softened

---------------bourbon sauce

1) Preheat oven to 350*F . Whisk together evaporated milk , eggs and 1 cup of water in a large bowl until well blended . Add bread cubes , stirring to coat thoroughly . Stir in pineapple and next 4 ingredients . Stir in butter , blending well . Pour into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish .

2) Bake at 350* for 35 to 45 minutes or until set and crust is golden brown . Remove from oven and let stand 2 minutes . Serve with Bourbon sauce .

********BOURBON SAUCE *********

Hands on time : ... 18 minutes ...Total time : ... 18 minutes ....Makes 1 - 1/2 cups

3 -----------------------tablespoons butter

1 ----------------------- tablespoon all-purpose flour

1 -----------------------cup whipping cream

1/2 --------------------cup sugar

4 -----------------------tablespoons bourbon

1 ------------------------tablespoon vanilla extract

1 ------------------------teaspoon ground nutmeg

Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat ; whisk in flour and cook , whisking constantly , 5 minutes . Stir in cream and sugar ; cook , whisking constantly , 3 minutes or until thickened . Stir in bourbon , vanilla and nutmeg ; cook , whisking constantly , 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated .