APPLE BREAD PUDDING (homey and comforting, BREAD PUDDING is the perfect dessert on a crisp fall evening!

INGREDIENTS<>1/2 CUP DRIED CRANBERRIES<>1/4 CUP APPLE JACK, BOURBON, or DARK RUM<>1/4 CUP APPLE CIDER or ORANGE JUICE<>1-2 TBSP BUTTER<>1/2 CUP GRANULATED SUGAR<>1/2 CUP BROWN SUGAR<>8 WHOLE EGGS<>2 TSP. VANILLA EXTRACT<>2 TSP. CINNAMON<>1 TSP. GINGER<>1/2 TSP. NUTMEG<>1/2 TSP. SALT<>2 CUPS MILK<><2 CUPS HALF&HALF<>ABOUT 12oz. (1/2-3/4 DAY OLD CRUSTY COUNTRY BREAD cut into roughly 2inch CUBES<>6-8 CORTLAND, MACOUN,or GRANNY SMITH APPLES, peeled, cored and CHOPPED.<><>COMBINE THE DRIED (CRANBERRIES, with the APPLE JACK and CIDER in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-high HEAT)<>REMOVE FROM THE HEAT<>COVER and SOAK for 1 HOUR or until the CRANBERRIES are SOFT and PLUMP<><>BUTTER A LARGE (3 1/2 to 4 QUART BAKING DISH<>MAKE THE CUSTARD, put the SUGARS,white&brown and EGGS , vanilla and SPICES and SALT in a large mixing BOWL and WHISK until well COMBINED<>PUT THE (BREAD CUBES, APPLES and CRANBERRIES in a LARGE BOWL AND TOSS gently to COMBINE<>TRANSFER the MIXTURE to the PREPARED BAKING DISH.<>POUR THE (CUSTARD over the BREAD CUBES and cover with plastic wrap<>(TRANSFER the BAKING DISH to the refrigerator and let sit for several hours><>(THE BREAD SHOULD ABSORB MOST OF THE LIQUID<>(PREHEAT the OVEN to 350 degreesF<>(BAKE UNCOVERED for about 1 HOUR or until the PUDDING is GOLDEN BROWN!!!!! SERVE WARM with (SPIKED CREME' ANGLAISE)   SooOH!  DELICIOUS  you'll go for MORE!!!!!