Brandied Cinnamon Bread Pudding

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 1 hr 35 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 9
• 2 (8 ounce) containers fresh blackberries
• 2 apples preferably granny smith apples (if wanting to follow the original recipe)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice (if following the original recipe)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar, plus
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided
• 1 1/2 loaves french bread (large loaves not baggettes)
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1/4 cup brandy
• 1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 raisins
• 3/4 cup apricot preserves (i used black berry preserves)
• 2 cups whipping cream
• 2 ounces brandy
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon

Recipe

• 1 if using apples follows these steps.
• 2 chop apples into small bite sized pieces. soak apples in lemon juice, 1 tablespoon brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, cover and refrigerate over night before using.
• 3 if using black berries follow same steps taking out the lemon juice and just tossing them in the brown sugar and teaspoon of cinnamon.
• 4 preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• 5 remove crust from 1 french bread and slice legthwise down the middle, then cut into 8 pieces.
• 6 pour milk into a small pot and add granulated sugar; bring to a boil.
• 7 beat eggs, brandy and almond flavoring together.
• 8 whisk in a little of the hot milk, then add remainder, whisking until mixed together.
• 9 layer half the bread pieces in a 9 inch square pan.
• 10 pour half the liquid mixture over it.
• 11 mash mixture with your hands, then pat down into a layer.
• 12 mix prepared fruit with nutmeg, remaining cinnamon, remaining brown sugar, some of the remaining milk mixture and raisins.
• 13 spoon over bread.
• 14 remove crust from remaining bread in 1 1/2 inch rounds.
• 15 overlap bread on top of fruit and pour the remaining milk mixture on top.
• 16 bake 25 minute.
• 17 glaze with preserves of choice.
• 18 brandy cream sauce.
• 19 beat cream with brandy and cinnamon until mixture thickens.
• 20 pour brandy cream sauce over each serving.