Christmas: Panettone Bread Pudding

A kind neighbor brought me a Panettone over Christmas and I decided to make bread pudding with it.  I haven't seen a panettone since I dated my Italian ex.  His parents seemed like they had a 100 of them on their counter at Christmas, that they received as gifts.  Quite a sight, so many different types and makers of it.  I always wondered what they did with them all... Anyway, bread pudding always makes me think of both New Orleans as it's a specialty there and my dad (RIP), who made it for us as kids.  Here's what I concocted today:

• 1.5 lb panettone bread, sliced into large 1" cubes (it was 1.8 lbs but I used a slice earlier for French toast and to gain inspiration on what to do with the loaf)
• 1/4 cup golden raisins and dried tart Montmorency cherries soaked in 1/4 cup brandy and 1/4 cup Gran Marnier liqueur overnight
• 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 5 large organic free range eggs, beaten with whisk
• 2 & 3/4 cups half & half cream (10% m.f.)
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon fresh grated nutmeg
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• Caramel sauce, for serving
• Vanilla ice cream or whip cream, for serving

I greased a large baking dish with cooking spray.  

I sliced the panettone and scattered it evenly in the dish.  I topped with the boozy fruit and the chocolate chips, spreading it uniformly overtop.

In a separate bowl, with a whisk I combined the eggs, cream, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg.  

When mixed well I poured over the bread and let it soak in for 5 minutes.  I used a spoon to let some of the chocolate and fruit slide down as well.  

I baked in a preheated oven at 350ºF for 55 minutes until poofy, set and golden brown.  

I served my son a piece with a drizzle of caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.   He had to be the taste tester before it went out to a couple neighbors.  

After the first bite, I got a "Mmmmm, oh mom it's very good and delicious".  Good enough for me!  It's hard not to like bread pudding, methinks...