Irish Bread Pudding with Caramel-Whiskey Sauce

Bread pudding with whiskey sauce is a delicious dessert inspired by the flavors of the Emerald Isle. Serve it on St. Patrick's Day or any other day when you want to interact with your inner leprechaun.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.Brush one side of the French bread slices with melted butter and place the bread with the greased sides facing up on a baking sheet. Bake the bread at 350 ° C for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Cut the bread into 1/2-inch-thick cubes and set aside.Combine the raisins and whiskey in a small bowl; cover and let stand for 10 minutes or until soft (don't drain).Combine 1% milk and the following 4 ingredients (1% milk with egg mixture) in a large bowl; mix well with a whisk. Add the bread cubes and raisin mixture, squeezing lightly to moisten them; let stand for 15 minutes. Spoon the bread mixture into a 13-inch x 9-inch baking dish greased with cooking spray. Combine 1 tablespoon sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over the pudding. Bake at 350 ° C for 35 minutes or until cooked through. Serve warm with a caramel whiskey sauce.Note: If desired, you can substitute 1/4 cup of apple juice for Irish whiskey.