Old-fashioned Bread Pudding

Description
Adapted from the 1956 Betty Crocker cookbook
 * Serves 6.

Ingredients

 * 3 cups soft bread cubes, use 4 cups for a firmer pudding
 * 2 cups milk scalded with ¼ cup butter
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 2 eggs, slightly beaten
 * ¼ teaspoon salt
 * 1 teaspoon cinnamon or nutmeg
 * ½ cup seedless raisins

Directions

 * 1) Add bread cubes to a greased 1½-quart baking dish.
 * 2) Whisk together milk, butter, sugar, eggs, salt and cinnamon or nutmeg.
 * 3) Add raisins.
 * 4) Pour over bread cubes and gently combine.
 * 5) Place in a pan of hot water.
 * 6) Bake at 350°F for 40 to 45 minutes.

Variations

 * Chocolate: Add ½ cup chocolate chips instead of raisins. Omit the spices. (Cinnamon does taste good with this variation though I have tried it).
 * Butterscotch: Use brown sugar instead of granulated sugar.