Christmas Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 6 slices white bread, toasted and cut into cubes
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped walnuts
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby longhorn cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C.) Grease a 2 quart casserole dish. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat sugar until it liquefies. Insert a candy thermometer and cook sugar without stirring until it reaches 320 degrees F (160 degrees C). It will be a clear, amber colored syrup.

Add the water, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer. Stir in vanilla.

Layer in prepared casserole dish: half the toast, half the raisins, half the nuts, half the syrup, and half the cheese. Repeat layers. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Serve warm.