Kugel (Jewish Noodle Pudding)

1/2 size (8 oz.) pkg. wide noodles (4 oz.)
1 pkg cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup butter
2 cups sour cream
1 cup sugar (slightly heaping)
8 eggs
2 tart apples, pared & grated
2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup apricot preserves, melted
4 red candied cherries, halved

Cook noodles; drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter 2 quart glass baking dish. In large bowl combine cheese, butter, sour cream and sugar; mix well. Add beaten eggs, grated apple and vanilla. Blend. Stir in raisins and noodles. Pour into baking dish. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven. Brush with apricot preserves. Add cherries. (Use long glass baking dish.) Serve with main course.