Slice bread 1/2 inch thick. butter 1 side of each slice.
butter 1 1/2 qt. shallow baking dish. Arrange one half the bread,buttered side up, in single layer in dish. Sprinkle with cherries orraisins. Top with another layer of bread slices. Whisk eggs, 1/2 cup sugarand vanilla and almond extracts, and salt in bowl. Whisk in hot milk. Pourcustard over bread.
Press bread into custard. Let stand 30 minutes.
Press again. Preat oven to 350 degrees. Place baking dish in largerbaking pan. Combine remaining sugar and cinnamon in bowl. Sprinkle overpudding. Pour boiling water in large pan halfway up side of dish. Bake 45to 50 minutes until golden. Serve warm with cream.