Double Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

Total Time: 50 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried cherries
• 1/4 cup cognac or 1/4 cup hot water
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups stale bread, torn into small pieces
• 1/3 cup chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup toasted almond (optional)

Recipe

• 1 preheat oven to 325 degrees.
• 2 lightly coat an 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
• 3 microwave 4 oz milk chocolate on medium power until melted - let cool.
• 4 combine the dried cherries and cognac or hot water and microwave for 1 minute or until plumped slightly. let stand until room temperature.
• 5 in a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light. whisk in the cooled chocolate, half and half, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth. gently stir in remaining ingredients.
• 6 pour mixture into prepared baking dish and let stand for 30 minutes (you may refrigerate for up to 2 hrs if needed but i have also baked right away before with great results!)
• 7 bake for 40 mins or until set in middle.