2 cups milk
2 cups half & half or light cream
8 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
2/3 cup all purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 cup dried cranberries
2 Small Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and diced
Optional Toppings: confectioners' sugar, maple syrup
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rack in the middle of the oven. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non stick cooking spray. Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl and add the cream and milk. Let stand for five minutes. Then stir in the beaten eggs, sugar, vanilla, and melted and cooled butter. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt and ground cinnamon. Stir this mixture into the bread cube mixture and then fold in the cranberries and apple chunks. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake covered with foil for 30 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 40 minutes or until fluffy and golden brown. Place on a wire rack to slightly cool.