Spiced Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup raisins, seedless currants, cranberries or dried cherries
• 1 cup pecans toasted and chopped
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg ground
• 1 teaspoon allspice ground
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds ground
• 8 cups bread bite sized pieces
• 4 cups milk whole
• 1 stick butter melted
• 3 large eggs beaten
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 4 cups strawberries
• 2 teaspoons Triple Sec grand marnier
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• 2 teaspoons water cold
• 2 stick butter softened
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup dark rum or brandy
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated