Chocolate Fig Bread Pudding

4 cups bread cubes from firm white bread
1 cup coarsely chopped figs
1/2 cup chocolate chips
2 cups milk
2 T butter or margarine
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
Spirited Sauce
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 T butter
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup dark rum or brandy

Heat oven to 350*. Grease 1 1/2-quart baking dis. Combine bread cubes, chocolate chips, and figs in baking dish. Heat milk and butter until butter is melted (do not boil). Combine eggs, sugar, vanilla, and salt; blend well. Add hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour over bread and raisin mixture. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with additional nutmeg, if desired. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. If desired, baked pudding can be made several days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat in 325* oven for 15 minutes. Prepare Spirited Sauce. Serve warm over bread pudding.
Spirited Sauce:
Combine all sauce ingredients in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes.

Raisin Bread Pudding

4 cups bread cubes from firm white bread
1 cup raisins
2 cups milk
2 T butter or margarine
2 large eggs
1/4 cup sugar
2 t vanilla
1/4 t salt
1/4 t ground cinnamon
1/4 t ground nutmeg
Spirited Sauce
1 1/4 cup powdered sugar
6 T butter
1 large egg, beaten
1/4 cup dark rum or brandy

Heat oven to 350*. Grease 1 1/2-quart baking dis. Combine bread cubes and raisins in baking dish. Heat milk and butter until butter is melted (do not boil). Combine eggs, sugar, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg; blend well. Add hot milk mixture to egg mixture, stirring constantly. Pour over bread and raisin mixture. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with additional nutmeg, if desired. Bake uncovered for 50 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. If desired, baked pudding can be made several days ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Reheat in 325* oven for 15 minutes. Prepare Spirited Sauce. Serve warm over bread pudding.
Spirited Sauce:
Combine all sauce ingredients in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes.