Maya Angelou's Bread Pudding

I really like this book. There's some classic recipes in it (but most take too much thought and effort for me). It's a great read with lots of stories in with her recipes. Here's one of my favorites from her book

(from Hallelujah! The Welcome Table by Maya Angelou)
serves 6

1 loaf stale sliced white bread
4 T (1/2 stick) butter
1/2 c raisins
1 c sugar
3 eggs, beaten
2 c milk
2 T vanilla
1 t cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease with butter a 3 qt casserole dish. Butter both sides of bread slices, place on tin foil. and put in oven. Toast slices on both sides.

Place raisins in bowl of hot water to plump. Cover, soak for 20 mins, and drain.

Combine sugar, eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon. Mix well.

Break up toasted bread, and put in casserole dish. Add drained raisins. Pour egg mixture over bread, and stir. Bake 40 mins. Serve hot or cold.