New Orleans Bread Pudding With Whiskey Sauce

Name: New Orleans Bread Pudding With Whiskey Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 8 min
Total time: 1 h 28 min
Cuisine: American, Cajun And Creole, Southern
Ingredients: 1/4 cup raisins; 2 tablespoons whiskey, or bourbon; 12 ounces day-old French bread; 2 cups half-and-half; 1 cup whole milk; 3 large eggs; 1 cup light or dark brown sugar, packed; 2 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated or ground nutmeg; Dash of salt; 1 cup heavy cream; 1/2 cup whole milk; 1/4 cup white granulated sugar; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 egg yolks; Pinch of salt; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract. optional