Soak the raisins in rum for about 1/2 hour or longer.

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease a 8"x2" pan.

Cut bread into small 1" cubes and place in baking pan.

Melt butter in microwave and drizzle evenly over bread cubes. If using, sprinkle with raisins.

In a medium mixing bowl, combine eggs, milk, cream or evaporated milk, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, rum and vanilla. Beat until well mixed.

Pour egg mixture evenly over bread and lightly push down with a fork around pan until bread is covered and soaked up with the egg mixture.

Cut up the cherries in quarters and place evenly around the pan on top of bread.

Bake in the pre-heated oven for 1 hour or more if needed. When taken out the oven, bread maybe greatly puffed over pan, but should not be jiggly. This will flatten as it cools.

Cool about 1 hour before serving.