Thomas Jefferson's Bread Pudding

1½ pound cubed stale bread
4 cups scalded milk
1/2 pound butter
1/2 pint brandy
8 eggs
3 cups sugar
3/4 tablespoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut up bread while milk and butter are heating in a pot. Combine liquids, eggs, sugar, and spice. Add bread last by submerging it using your hands so that it gets thoroughly soaked. Transfer into a buttered 9 by 13-inch pan, pouring gently so that bread doesn't break up too much. Bake until an inserted skewer or knife comes out clean, about 40 minutes.

Serves 12.