Brandy cream sauce:
2 ounces butter
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cornstarch, mixed to paste with a little water
2-3 tablespoons brandy

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Grease a 9"X11" casserole dish. Place half the croissants in the dish; sprinkle with raisins, and then top with remaining croissants.

Beat the eggs until light, gradually adding the sugar until thick. Whisk in milk, cream, brandy, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and salt.

Pour mixture over the croissants, cover, and leave to absorb in the refrigerator for an hour or so (up to a day in advance).

Before baking, bring to room temperature. Dot with butter (I didn't) and sprinkle with cinnamon/sugar. Bake 40 minutes.

Serve immediately with sauce.

Sauce:
In a small saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar and water and stir until boiling and sugar has dissolved. Add cream, vanilla, and cornstarch paste and stir until thickened, Lastly, add brandy.

Sauce can be made in advance and reheated just before serving.

Poster's Notes: The nice thing about this is that you can do everything in advance, and bake it while you are eating the main course.

Posted by Sharon Stein