The Recipe Finder’s Bread Pudding

6 slices day-old bread, cut into 1/2″ cubes
1 cup hot water or 1/2 cup of whiskey
1 cup dark brown sugar
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 cups warm milk
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. pure bourbon vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp. salt
1/2 cup of raisins (optional)

Place bread in greased 2-qt. baking dish. Combine water (or whiskey), brown sugar, and raisins (if your using them); pour over bread. Combine remaining ingredients; pour over bread. Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve pudding warm with vanilla ice cream.