Cherry Bread Pudding with Spiced Vanilla Sauce

"Some of the best treasures can be found in the bakery clearance"

Ok, I know this statement sounds strange but stay with me. Almost every grocery store has their own bakery and most days you can find a rack filled with items they have to sell that day or throw away the next. Even though these items are not as fresh, they still have a lot of good life left in them. In fact, many recipes call for day old bread. I would like to share my most recent recipe I made using a loaf of french bread I found at my local store for .90 cents.


Cherry Bread Pudding with Spiced Vanilla Sauce

Ingredients:

loaf of italian or french bread, cut into 1/2 in. cubes (about 6 C.)
4 eggs
2 C. half and half or 1 C. milk and 1 C. heavy cream
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
dash of salt
1/2 C. chopped dried cherries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, beat eggs and add milk, sugar, salt and vanilla. Add bread cubes and cherries, stirring to combine. Pour mixture into a prepared 9x13 pan. Allow this to sit for about 10 minutes before you bake. If the mixture seems to thick then add a little more milk to thin it slightly. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes or until center looks set.

To make the sauce:

This sauce is so easy, I am ashamed to share it with you....but, here it goes.

1 box of vanilla instant pudding
2 C. milk
1/2 C. heavy cream or half and half
1/2 tsp. cinnamon, 1/8 tsp. nutmeg, and 1/8 tsp. allspice


Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a wire wisk until combined. Place in the refrigerator to thicken slightly.

You can serve this either warm or cold. I prefer it warm with the sauce over top. Make sure to store leftovers in the refigerator.