Now that you have your ingredients ready, let’s dive into the steps to create this amazing Custard Bread Pudding with Vanilla Sauce:

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing a 9×13 inch baking dish is also a must.
2. Prepare the Bread: Cut the day-old bread into 1-inch cubes and place it in the greased baking dish.
3. Mix the Custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and salt until smooth.
4. Combine: Pour the custard mixture over the bread cubes, ensuring all pieces are well-coated. Gently press the bread down with a fork so it soaks up the liquid.
5. Add Optional Ingredients: If you desire extra flavor, fold in raisins or chocolate chips into the mixture.
6. Bake: Place the baking dish into the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Cool: Once baked, remove the pudding from the oven and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. This will help it set before serving.
8. Make the Vanilla Sauce: While the pudding cools, you can prepare the vanilla sauce. In a saucepan, combine 1 cup heavy cream, ½ cup granulated sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract over low heat. Stir continuously until the sugar dissolves and the sauce thickens slightly.
9. Serve: Once the pudding has cooled slightly and the sauce is ready, serve the Custard Bread Pudding warm, drizzled generously with vanilla sauce.