Bread Pudding with Rum without muffin starch

5 cups dry bread, cubed 1 cup fat-free half-and-half 4 eggs 3 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1 dash salt 1/4 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 teaspoon almond[...]

8 ounces bread, french dense, stale 4 tablespoons butter softened 1/2 cup cherries, dried or raisins * 3 large eggs 2/3 cups sugar 4 teaspoons vanilla extract[...]