Cherry Strata

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

13 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

12 cups day-old Italian bread cubes (1/2-inch cubes)
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar, divided
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup dried cherries or cranberries
1/2 cup chopped pecans
4 large eggs
1-1/2 cups half-and-half cream
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) sour cherries, chopped
1 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup
1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

1

Place 8 cups bread cubes in a greased
2

. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar and extract until smooth. Stir in cherries and pecans; spoon over bread. Top with remaining bread cubes.
3

In a bowl, whisk eggs, cream, cinnamon and remaining sugar; pour over bread. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 35-40 minutes or until browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
4

For syrup, combine cherries, sugar and corn syrup in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in extract. Serve warm over strata.