Recipe: Chocolate Cherry Bread (bread machine) and Bread Pudding

Chocolate Cherry Bread (bread machine)
rec.food.cooking/Dave Jerzycki

This is great warm with just some butter.

I make this in my bread machine, a Hitachi HB-201B:

Regular loaf
3/4 cup water
1 1/2 cups of white bread flour
1/2 cup wheat bread flour
1 tbsp dry milk
2 tbsp chocolate sauce
1 tsp salt
1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup dried cherries (I use a combination of bing and red cherries)
2 tsp Grand Mariner
1/2 tsp orange peel
2 tsp active dry yeast

Large loaf
1 1/4 cup water
2 cups flour
1 cup wheat bread flour
2 tbsp dry milk
1/4 cup sauce
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
3/4 cup cherries
1 tbsp Grand Mariner
1/2 tsp orange peel
3 tsp active dry yeast

I use the add mixture setting on my bread maker. I toss in some of the
chocolate chips and cherries when I start the machine (about half the mixture.) I toss in the rest when the thing beeps at me. I found if I add all of it at once, it macerates the mixture. This way I get a good combination of macerated chips and cherries and whole ones.

I make this the day before. I slice up the bread into thick slices to dry. On the day I make the bread pudding I do the following:

Bread pudding:

Beat 6 eggs. Add to the bowl, 1 qt milk, 1/2 - 3/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp vanilla.

Place 3 1/2 cups dry bread cubes (about six thick slices or so), in a large and deep baking dish. The custard and bread take up a lot of room. Pour egg mixture over all.

Bake in a 325 degree oven for 40 to 45 minutes or till a knife inserted near center comes out clean. Cool slightly before serving. Serve as is, with a sauce or just some whipped cream.