Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
4                       eggs
2         cups          dairy eggnog or reduced fat dairy eggnog
1/3       cup           granulated sugar
1/4       cup           rum or additional eggnog
3/4       teaspoon      ground nutmeg
6         cups          dry French bread cubes 
1/2       cup           dried cranberries, dried cherries, or chopped candied cherries
                        Ground nutmeg (optional)
                        Sifted powdered sugar
                        Half-and-half or light cream (optional)

Preparation:

Lightly grease a 2-quart square baking dish; set aside. Beat eggs, eggnog, sugar, rum or additional eggnog, and nutmeg in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on low speed till combined. Stir in Bread cubes and fruit. Let stand 10 to 15 minutes or till bread is softened, stirring once or twice. Spoon into prepared dish. Sprinkle with additional ground nutmeg, if desired. Bake in a 325 F oven for 35 to 40 minutes or till a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm, sprinkle with powdered sugar. Pass half-and-half or light cream, if desired. To make dry bread cubes, cut bread into 1/2-inch cubes. Spread bread cubes in a single layer in a shallow baking pan. Bake in a 300 F oven for 10 to 15 minutes or till dry, stirring twice during baking.