Nanny’s Bread Pudding

Serve this pudding warm with ice cream or whipped cream.

Makes 9 slices

14 ounces good quality whole-wheat loaf bread
2 tablespoons cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cloves
2 large eggs, beaten
10 tablespoons brown sugar
8 tablespoons (1 stick) frozen butter, grated
1 cup raisins or dried cranberries

Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.

Place bread slices in a large bowl. Add water to cover, thoroughly soaking the bread. Thoroughly squeeze water from bread. Discard water; return bread to the bowl. Mix cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Add spices, eggs, sugar, butter and dried fruit.  Turn mixture into a greased 8 x 8 pan. Bake until golden and firm, about 1 hour.  Let cool slightly, cut into slices and serve.