Challah Bread Pudding With Chocolate and Cherries (Pareve)

Name: Challah Bread Pudding With Chocolate and Cherries (Pareve)
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 1 h 5 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons coconut oil (or non-hydrogenated pareve margarine, such as Earth Balance, melted and cooled to room temperature, plus extra for greasing pan); 1 pound challah (cut into 1-inch cubes; about 8 cups); 4 large eggs; 3/4 cup sugar; 3 cups pareve vanilla soymilk; 2 tablespoons Amaretto; 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or pure vanilla extract); 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon; 1/2 cup cherries (dried; preferably tart); 1/2 cup pareve bittersweet chocolate chips (or chopped dark chocolate); Optional: pareve ice cream, whipped cream, or maple syrup (for serving)