Java Bread Pudding

I am a good southern boy. Not to mention a good ole boy at that. And this means that I LOOOVE bread pudding.[WARNING: R-rated material coming up] I think that bread pudding is a lot like sex. It's warm, it's moist, and I don't get it as often as I should. Bread Pudding is one of the quintessential southern desserts. It is easy to prepare and can be done so with stuff you probably already have in your kitchen. This is a basic bread pudding recipe with a caffeinated twist that I have added.

You will need:
- 6 slices white bread, left out overnight to stale
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 stick of butter
- 2 TBSP coffee grounds
- Large mixing bowl, 8x8 casserole, 8x13 casserole, saucepan, Cheesecloth or muslin.

Pre-Prep PrepSet a kettle of water on the stove to boil. Heat the Oven to 350 degrees.

Cut the bread into cubes, set aside. Set the saucepan over medium-low heat. Heat up the milk and butter. Tie up the coffee grounds in the cheesecloth and toss in the milk to brew while it heats up. Meanwhile, mix the eggs, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a pinch of coffee grounds in the large mixing bowl. Add the bread and raisin,s and gently stir until coated. Pour in the milk/egg/coffee mixture, removing the cheesecloth.

Stir gently again, then pour into the smaller of the two casseroles. Set that casserole inside the larger casserole. Then pour the boiling hot water into large casserole about an inch or so up the side, thus creating a water bath. This will help cook the pudding evenly.

Bake in the oven on the center rack for about 40-45 minutes. Remove and allow to rest for 10 minutes before digging in. Scoop out into bowls and serve it up warm. I like mine really warm out of the oven. But you can let it rest for a while and set up nice and firm. This way, you can cut out squares or wedges for that "classy" look.

Optional sweet sauce
- 1/2 stick butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

In a small saucepan, melt butter and sugar together slowly over low to medium heat. Add vanilla. When a nice sugar sauce is made, drizzle it over each bowl of java bread pudding.