Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding - Lidia

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cup milk
• 5 large eggs
• ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8 cups brioche or other rich egg bread, day-old, cut into ½-inch cubes
• 1 cup dried cherries
• 6 tablespoons chunky cherry preserves
• ½ cup sliced almonds