Bread and Butter Pudding

• 25g/1oz butter
• 8 thin slices bread
• 50g/2oz sultanas
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 350ml/12fl milk
• 50ml/2fl oz double cream
• 2 free-range eggs
• 25g/1oz sugar
• grated, to taste nutmeg

Preparation

1. Grease a 1 litre/2 pint pie dish with butter.
2. Cut the crusts off the bread.
3. Spread each slice with on one side with butter, then cut into triangles.
4. Arrange a layer of bread, buttered-side up, in the bottom of the dish, then add a layer of sultanas.
5. Sprinkle with a little cinnamon, then repeat the layers of bread and sultanas, sprinkling with cinnamon, until you have used up all of the bread.
6. Finish with a layer of bread, then set aside.
7. Gently warm the milk and cream in a pan over a low heat to scalding point.
8. Don't let it boil.
9. Crack the eggs into a bowl, add three quarters of the sugar and lightly whisk until pale.
10. Add the warm milk and cream mixture and stir well, then strain the custard into a bowl.
11. Pour the custard over the prepared bread layers and sprinkle with nutmeg and the remaining sugar and leave to stand for 30 minutes.
12. Preheat the oven to 180C/355F/Gas 4.
13. Place the dish into the oven and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the custard has set and the top is golden-brown.