Cherry Chocolate Almond Croissant Bread Pudding

Surprise your loved ones with this easy dessert made with croissants and cherry pie filling.

• Ready In: 1 hr 5 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 1 pie

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon butter, softened
• 3  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1⁄2 cups half-and-half or 1 1⁄2 cups  light cream
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  almond extract
•  3 large  croissant, halved horizontally
• 1  cup  semisweet chocolate piece, ground*
• 1 (21 ounce) can  lucky leaf cherry pie filling
• 1  cup  sliced almonds
•  vanilla ice cream (optional)

Directions

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°F Spread butter on bottom and sides of a 9- to 10-inch deep-dish pie plate. In a shallow container combine eggs, half-and-half, and almond extract; add croissants. Let soak 3 minutes, turning once. Place bottom halves of croissants, cut-side-up, in the prepared dish. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the chocolate. Spoon on 1/2 cup LUCKY LEAF Cherry Pie Filling and 1/2 cup of the nuts. Add croissant tops, cut-sides down, remaining chocolate, another 1/2 cup pie filling and the remaining nuts. Pour on any remaining egg mixture.
2. 2. Bake, uncovered, for 40 to 45 minutes or until center is set. Cool on wire rack about 30 minutes.
3. 3. Heat remaining LUCKY LEAF Cherry Pie Filling and pass with bread pudding. Serve with ice cream, if desired.