Pear, Almond, and Dried-Cherry Brown Betty Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried tart cherries
• 3 tablespoons poire Williams (clear pear brandy) or regular brandy
• 6 5x4-inch slices white sandwich bread with crust (such as buttermilk bread), torn into pieces (about 6 cups)
• 1 cup sliced almonds
• 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
• 1 1/2 cups hot water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/2 cup (packed) golden brown sugar
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg or ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 21/2 pounds firm but ripe pears (such as Bosc or Bartlett), peeled, halved, cored, cut into 1-inch cubes
• Vanilla ice cream