Bread Pudding with Rum without liqueur sauce

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[...]

7 cups bread, slightly stale and cut into 1-inch cubes 3/4 cup raisins 2 cups milk 4 eggs , beaten 1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup melted butter 1[...]

5 cups day-old French bread (or use brioche, challah or croissants bread) 3 cups whole milk 1 cup heavy cream 1 cup sugar 1 vanilla bean , split and scraped[...]