Xmas Bread Pudding

9 x Wholewheat bread slices
3 x Egg yolks, beaten
1 1/2 cup Light cream
1/3 cup Sugar
1 dsh Salt
1 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
2/3 cup Light raisins
2/3 cup Dark raisins
1/3 cup Candied red cherries, halved
1 cup Water
Sherry sauce ingredients:
2 x Eggs, beaten
2 tbl Cream sherry
1/4 tsp Vanilla
1/2 cup Whipping cream

Remove crusts from bread; set crusts aside for another use. Cover bread slices with paper towels and let stand overnight.

For custard, in heavy med. saucepan combine 3 egg yolks, light cream, sugar and salt. Cook and stir over med. heat. Continue till mixture coats a spoon. Remove from heat; cool at once by placing pan in sink of ice water.

Stir for 2 minutes. Stir in 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla. Cover surface w/plastic wrap.

In sm. bowl, combine raisins; set aside. Combine cherries. Pour only 2/3 c warm sherry over raisins; pour remaining sherry over cherries. Fold cut bread (about 9 cups) into custard till coated.

Grease a 6 1/2-cup tower mold (without tube). Drain raisins and chrries, reserving sherry.

Arrange 1/4 of cherries in bottom of mold; sprinkle 1/3 c raisins into mold. Add 1/4 of bread mixture. Sprinkle with 2 T. reserved sherry.

Repeat layers 3 times, arranging cherries and raisins near edges of mold. Lightly press last layer with back of spoon.

Pour remaining sherry over all.

Cover mold tightly with foil. Set mold into 3 1/2 or 4 qt. crockpot with liner in place. Pour 1 c water into cooker around mold. Cover; cook on low-heat about 5 1/2 hrs. or high for 3 hrs. or till pudding springs back when touched. Remove mold from crockpot and let stand for 10 minutes.

Carefully unmold onto serving platter. Serve warm with sherry sauce(below).

TO DO AHEAD:
Remove from mold, cover and chill. Before serving, return to same mold. Cover with foil, and place in crockpot. Then pour 1 cup of water around mold. Cook in crockpot for 1 1/2 hours (or 'til warm)on high setting. Unmold and serve warm with sherry sauce.

SHERRY SAUCE:
In mixing bowl: combine 2 egg yolks, powdered sugar, 2 T sherry and 1/4 t. vanilla. Beat whipping in small mixing bowl till sosft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into egg yolk mixture. Cover and chill till serving time. Serve warm.