Bagel Pudding

Shared with recipegoldmine.com from the kitchen of R.H.

My version of bread pudding....a favorite around our house.

4 large size bagels (see *note)
3 cups milk
3 eggs, slightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (optional)

In a large mixing bowl, combine eggs with milk and vanilla extract.

In another bowl combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Add together. Tear bagels into pieces and add to egg, milk, cinnamon-sugar mixture just until bread is moistened. Put into buttered 2-quart casserole dish. Bake 350 degrees F for 1 hour. (I set my dish in a cookie sheet with water.)

NOTE: We like the blueberry bagels with blueberry syrup, but you can use strawberry bagels with strawberry syrup...apple walnut bagels with rum sauce...just any combination you like.