Fig and Raisin Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 ½ cups whole milk
• 1 ½ cups whipping cream
• 3 eggs + 1 egg yolk
• + 6 more ingredients
• • ½ cup sugar
  • 5 tablespoons room temperature butter, divided
  • 9 slices (¾-inch thick) French bread
  • ¼ cup brandy
  • 1 cup golden raisins
  • 3 cups chopped fresh figs (may substitute 2 ½ cups chopped dried figs, plumped in hot water and drained)

Stir together figs, raisins and brandy in a medium bowl; let stand for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Generously butter an 8-cup souffle dish or casserole dish with straight sides. Spread remaining butter onto bread slices. Cut into 1-inch cubes and transfer to prepared dish. Stir together su...

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