Bread Pudding with Chocolate and Cherries

Preheat oven to 350° F. Lightly coat eight 6-ounce custard cups with non-stick cooking spray. Place cups in large roasting pan; set aside. In small bowl combine dried cherries and brandy or juice; set aside.

In medium sauce pan combine half-and-half and sugar. Cook and stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved.

In mixing bowl whisk together eggs and egg yolks. Slowly add half-and-half mixture to beaten egg mixture, whisking constantly. Whisk in vanilla. Stir in bread cubes. Let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes. Stir in dried cherry-brandy mixture and divide among custard cups. Evenly distribute chopped chocolate.

Place roasting pan on oven rack. Pour boiling water into pan to halfway up sides of custard cups. Bake 30 minutes, until knife inserted near pudding centers comes out clean. Remove cups from water. Serve warm.