Step 1

1 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Step 2

2 Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray oil

Step 3

3 For the pudding: In a large bowl, add the milk, water and eggs

Step 4

4 Add the sugar and stir until dissolved

Step 5

5 Add the liqueur or rum and the vanilla extract and stir until no streaks appear

Step 6

6 Place the bread in the milk mixture and soak until soft, about 5 minutes

Step 7

7 Add the pecans and coconut and stir well

Step 8

8 Mix in the melted butter

Step 9

9 Pour the mixture into the prepared pan

Step 10

10 Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the pudding is browned and springs back to the touch

Step 11

11 Transfer to a wire rack and cool for about 10 minutes

Step 12

12 For the sauce: In a medium pan, combine the sugar and cornstarch

Step 13

13 Gradually add the water, then the butter and vanilla extract and stir until all lumps are gone

Step 14

14 Set the heat on low and simmer, with bubbles just breaking the surface, until thickened, about 5 minutes

Step 15

15 Add the praline liqueur or rum and the pecans and cook for 10 minutes

Step 16

16 Cut the warm pudding into serving pieces

Step 17

17 Serve on individual plates with a drizzle of sauce on top