Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  12      slices        day old bread
   4                    eggs -- lightly beaten
   1 1/2  cups          evaporated milk or
                        heavy cream or half-n-half
     1/2  cup           sugar
   1      teaspoon      baking powder
   1      teaspoon      vanilla
     1/2  teaspoon      cinnamon
     1/2  teaspoon      nutmeg
     1/8  teaspoon      ground cloves
   3      tablespoons   raisins -- soaked in warm
                        water 5 minutes and drained
                        -- (or soaked in 1/2
   1      cup           rum)
     1/3  cup           butter -- melted

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350F. Place bread on a cookie sheet and toast lightly, about 4 minutes a side, so it won't be too soggy. Break bread into small pieces and place in a bowl. Add eggs, whole milk, evaporated milk, sugar, baking powder, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Drain the raisins; reserve the rum, if using, for the sauce. Stir in raisins and butter. Pour mixture into a well-greased baking dish about 11"x14"x2" (such as a lasagna pan) and bake 20 minutes. Using a fork, test a little pudding from the center to see whether it's cooked. The custard should be very slightly browned but not dry. Let cool and slice. Serve with lemon sauce or hard sauc