(makes 8 servings)

Ingredients:

• 4 cups French bread, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 2 cups, 2% milk
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ground nutmeg or cinnamon, as desired

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 deg. F. Spray a 9 x 1 1/4 inch pie plate with low-fat, non-stick coating.
2. In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes with the cranberries and raisins.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk milk, eggs, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Pour mixture over the bread and then gently stir without turning the bread into mush.
4. Pour the bread mixture into the pie plate and sprinkle with nutmeg or cinnamon, as desired.
5. Bake, uncovered, for 40-45 minutes or until golden brown.

Ingredient Options:

1. Try this recipe with different types of fruit like chopped dried apricots, dried apples, or fresh sliced bananas.
2. Use a different flavored extract other than vanilla like almond extract, orange extract, anise-flavored extract.
3. Try different types of bread like whole wheat, cinnamon raisin, etc.