Italian Bread Pudding

8-10 slices or about ½ a loaf of crusty Italian
(or French) bread

Cube and put in a 9x13” pan. Put this in a 250° oven for 20-30 minutes or until the bread is dry.

Meanwhile in a medium size bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, spice and vanilla, then sugar and dried fruit:

2 fresh eggs

2c milk

1-2T pumpkin pie spice

2T± real, strong vanilla

2/3c brown sugar

1c dried cherries or craisins

Stir these together until the sugar dissolves. Let stand to hydrate the fruit. When the bread is dry, add the hot bread cubes to the bowl, mix then pour into a buttered 9x13” pan. Top with a little raw sugar, bake at 325° for 20-30 minutes until the liquid absorbs and pudding is lightly browned. . .Lin