Cherry Bread Pudding

This is a Cherry Bread Pudding receipe that my good friend "Terri" made for a get together several weekends ago. It is awesome!!!!

1/2 cup dried cherries

2 T Orange Juice

6 cups cinnamon raisin bread

1 1/2 c milk

1/2 c cream or half/half

5 Large Eggs

3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1/4 tsp salt

Combine cherries and orange juice in a microwave safe cup. Heat in microwave till very hot, then set aside for the fruit to soften.

Butter a 1-2 qt. baking dish. Spread the bread cubes in the dish. Whisk together the milk, cream, eggs, sugar, flavorings, salt and a dash of cinnamon.

Sprinkle the cherries of the bread crumbs. Pour the mixture over the bread/cherries, pressing the bread down into the milk. Let sit for an hour or so at room temperature or overnite in the refrigerator, covered. Just before baking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Uncover the pudding and bake for 45-55 minutes, uncovered, until the top is browned and the middle springs back when lightly pressed. Remove from oven, grate gresh nutmeg over the top if desired. Serve warm with ice cream.

Serves about 8.