Butterscotch Bread Pudding

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3 cups milk
2 cups stale, but soft bread
½ cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons butter
2 eggs, well beaten
¼ cup chopped dates
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
Pinch of salt

Scald milk; cool. Add remaining ingredients. Pour into a greased casserole; set in a pan of hot water. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees. Serve with cream, if desired.