Double Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

• 1 cup dried cherries
• 14 cup cognac or 14 cup hot water
• 4 ounces milk chocolate, chopped
• 2 eggs
• 13 cup sugar
• 1 cup half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 12 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 cups stale bread, torn into small pieces
• 13 cup white chocolate chips
• 13 cup milk chocolate chips
• 12 cup toasted almond (optional)

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.
5. Let stand until room temperature.
6. In a large bowl, beat the eggs and sugar until light.
7. Whisk in the cooled chocolate, half and half, vanilla, and cinnamon until smooth.
8. Gently stir in remaining ingredients.
9. 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!)
10. Bake for 40 mins or until set in middle.

cherries, cognac, milk chocolate, eggs, sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, bread, white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, almond

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/double-chocolate-cherry-bread-pudding-367257 (may not work)