2 tablespoons butter
1 16-ounce loaf Brioche, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
3/4 cup dried cranberries
2-1/2 cups whole milk
6 large eggs
1 cup roasted butternut squash purée
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup rum
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the bread on a large rimmed baking sheet and toast for 10 minutes until dry and light brown.
Butter a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoons butter. Add bread and cranberries.
In a large measuring cup or bowl, beat together milk, eggs, squash purée, and sugar. Stir in rum and vanilla. Pour over bread and toss to incorporate. Let soak in refrigerator for 1 to 2 hours.
Dust top with cinnamon. Dot the top with remaining butter. Tent with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to bake for another 20 minutes. Bread should be puffed and custard set. Let cool slightly before serving.
Yield: 6 to 8 servings.
- Recipe courtesy of Joseph Erdos