Blueberry Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) loaf sliced, firm-textured white bread, crusts removed
• 2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries
• 4 ounces light cream cheese, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 4 eggs, lightly beaten
• 2 cups low-fat milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. Butter an 8-inch square baking dish; set aside. Cut bread in 1/2-inch cubes (makes about 7 cups).
2. In the prepared baking dish, layer half of the bread cubes and half the blueberries; sprinkle with all the cream cheese; cover with remaining bread cubes and blueberries.
3. In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, sugar, salt, and cinnamon; pour over bread. Gently press bread down to absorb milk mixture; refrigerate, covered, at least 20 minutes or overnight.
4. Heat oven to 325 degrees F.
5. Bake uncovered, until knife inserted near the center comes out clean, about 1 hour; let stand 10 minutes before serving.
6. Slice in 8 rectangles.
7. Serve with blueberry syrup, if desired.

Yields 8 servings.