Sister Bay Cafe Pioneer Bread Pudding

The Sister Bay Cafe in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin, is famous for this pudding.

2 cups cubed day-old bread
    (1/2-inch pieces), crusts removed
2 cups milk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
3 tablespoons butter
Dash of salt
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Place bread cubes in a greased 1-quart baking dish.

In a saucepan, heat milk, sugar, butter and salt over low heat just until butter melts. In a bowl, beat eggs; whisk in warm milk mixture. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour over bread. Place baking dish in a shallow pan of hot water. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees F for 40 to 45 minute or until a knife inserted 1 inch from the edge comes out clean.

Lemon Sauce
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Dash of salt
1 cup water
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 drop yellow food coloring (optional)

Combine sugar, cornstarch and salt in a saucepan. Stir in water and lemon peel; bring to a boil. Cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in butter, lemon juice and food coloring.

Serve warm or cold with the pudding. Refrigerate leftovers.

Yields 4 to 6 servings.