Cherry Strata

Name: Cherry Strata
Ingredients: Cherry Strata; 12 cups day-old italian bread cubes (approx 1/2 inch cubes); 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sugar, divided; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract; 1/2 cup dried cherries or 1/2 cup cranberries; 1/2 cup chopped pecans; 4 whole eggs; 1 1/2 cups half-and-half; 1 teaspoon cinnamon; Cherry Syrup; 1 (14 ounce) can cherries, chopped; 1 cup sugar; 1 cup corn syrup; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

15 ingredients

11 steps

Ingredients

Cherry Strata
12 cups day-old italian bread cubes (approx 1/2 inch cubes)
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup dried cherries or 1/2 cup cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
4 whole eggs
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Cherry Syrup
1 (14 ounce) can cherries, chopped
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

1

.::|| Cherry Strata ||::.
2

Preheat oven to 350°F Grease 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
3

Place 8 cups of the bread cubes in prepared pan.
4

In mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and extract until smooth. Stir in pecans and cherries (or cranberries). Spoon over bread and top with remaining bread cubes.
5

In mixing bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and remaining sugar. Pour over bread.
6

Bake uncovered for 35-40 minutes 350°F, or until browned.
7

Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Top individual servings with Cherry Syrup.
8

.::|| Cherry Syrup ||::.
9

Combine cherries, sugar and corn syrup in small saucepan.
10

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
11

Remove from heat and stir in extract. Serve warm over strata.