Bread+Pudding+Mother's+in+New+Orleans

"This recipe comes from New Orleans' famous Mother's Restaurant. Although I've made it without the brandy, it does taste better with it. Prep time includes soaking the bread pieces."
 * Bread Pudding Mother’s in N.O. **
 * About This Recipe **
 * Ingredients **
 * 1 large stale French bread
 * 10 whole eggs
 * 4 cups fruit cocktail in heavy syrup
 * 8 cups homogenized milk
 * 2 cups heavy cream
 * 4 cups granulated sugar
 * 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
 * 3 teaspoons cinnamon
 * 4 tablespoons imitation vanilla or 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
 * 1/2 lb unsalted butter
 * SAUCE INGREDIENTS **
 * 1 lb unsalted butter
 * 1/4 cup brown sugar
 * 2 teaspoons cinnamon
 * 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
 * 1/2 cup brandy
 * Directions **
 * 1) In a large mixing bowl, break bread into small pieces by hand.
 * 2) In a separate mixing bowl, whisk eggs and pour over broken bread.
 * 3) Add fruit cocktail to bread and mix by hand.
 * 4) In a 6-quart saucepot on medium high heat, combine milk, cream, sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla extract and butter and bring to a boil.
 * 5) Remove from heat and pour over bread mixture a little at a time careful not to scramble the egg mixture.
 * Directions **
 * 1) Cover and let bread soak up the egg mixture thoroughly, approximately one hour.
 * 2) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
 * 3) After an hour, check bread to make sure liquid is completely soaked into bread mixture.
 * 4) Mix by hand and break up any remaining hard bread pieces.
 * 5) Transfer bread pudding mixture into two 10 x 12 x 3 roasting pan 3/4 of the way to the top.
 * 6) Place in a 350 degree oven and bake until top is brown and center is cooked approximately 60 to 90 minutes.
 * 7) Be careful not to overcook.
 * 8) Serve hot and spoon bread pudding sauce over top (see recipe below).
 * 9) *SAUCE*In a 4-quart saucepot on medium heat, mix all ingredients together, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
 * 10) Simmer until butter clarifies and alcohol reduces, approximately 15 minutes.
 * 11) Remove from heat and spoon over bread pudding.
 * 12) Serve.