Holiday Bread Pudding

Ingredients

8 Slices Day-Old Cinnamon Swirl Bread or Artisan Bread

4 Tablespoons Butter, Melted

½ Cup Dried Cranberries (Optional)

5 Eggs, Beaten

3 Cups Half N Half

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon

1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract

Directions

Step 1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Step 2 Break bread into small pieces into an 8 inch square baking pan. Drizzle melted butter or margarine over bread. If desired, sprinkle with raisins.

Step 3 In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. Beat until well mixed. Pour over bread, and lightly push down with a fork until bread is covered and soaking up the egg mixture.

Step 4 Bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly tapped.

Serve topped with ice cream, whip cream, or maple syrup.