Directions

1. Arrange bread cubes in single layer on rimmed baking sheet. Let stand at room temperature to dry overnight.

2. Butter 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Transfer bread cubes to prepared dish. Mix dates and almonds in medium bowl. Sprinkle date mixture over bread and toss to distribute evenly. Using electric mixer, beat eggs and egg yolks in large bowl until frothy. Add 1 cup sugar and beat until mixture thickens and is pale yellow, about 5 minutes. Add half and half, vanilla, and nutmeg; beat just until blended. (Bread mixture and custard can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let bread mixture stand uncovered at room temperature. Chill custard; re-whisk before continuing.)

3. Preheat oven to 375°. Pour custard over bread mixture, then press lightly on bread with rubber spatula to submerge. Let stand 15 minutes, occasionally pressing lightly on bread to submerge.

4. Bake bread pudding 25 minutes. Using large spoon, press bread down, allowing custard in dish to rise to surface. Spoon custard evenly over bread mixture. Continue to bake pudding until knife inserted into center of custard comes out clean, about 20 minutes longer.

5. Remove bread pudding from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Serve warm with warm or chilled Amaretto Zabaglione. Serves 10 to 12.

Amaretto Zabaglione:

1. Whisk egg yolks, amaretto, and sugar in medium metal bowl to blend. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water. Whisk mixture constantly and vigorously until thickened and instant-read thermometer inserted into mixture registers 140° for 3 minutes, about 5 minutes total. Remove mixture from water. Add cream and whisk until incorporated. Serve warm or chilled. (If serving chilled, zabaglione can be prepared 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Re-whisk before serving.)