Heat oven to 190°C. Remove crusts from bread and cut into 1 inch cubes

Soak in cold water for a few seconds, squeeze out as much water as you can (dont want it too wet)

Place in bowl and add butter and spice, mix thoroughly, use your hands and squeeze through fingers, when combined add fruit and 3 oz of sugar. You can use whatever dried fruit you like. I have used, at different times, all vine fruits, dried apricots, crystallized pineapple and glace cherries and even mixed and matched.

Place in a greased dish or pan,pat down then sprinkle wth remaining sugar. Place in oven and cook for approximately 1 hour, check after 45 minutes just in case! Cooking time varies with depth of dish. Pudding should be firm to touch and a skewer or toothpick should come out clean. Allow to cool for 10 minutes then remove from dish. Can be served hot or cold, hot is best, you can sprinkle with extra sugar immediately after removing from oven but this is optional.

Slices can be reheated In microwave for 15- 30 seconds, depending on thickness

Please note, this is "Bread pudding" NOT "bread & butter pudding" !