Boil noodles in salted water for no more than 7 minutes, because you will be baking this and do not want them overcooked. Drain and return to pot and toss with 3 T of the butter. This should melt!

Preheat oven to 350.

In a large bowl, by hand or with mixer, combine cream cheese, 3 T melted butter and sugar. Beat until somewhat smooth.

Add eggs, sour cream, cottage cheese, vanilla and dried fruit if using. Stir well, until all is combined. Add noodles and mix well.

Generously butter a 13 x 9 pan. You could also bake this in a smaller pan and have a thicker kugel.  You can also bake this in individual souffle dishes in which case, this is ready in about 30 minutes.

Scoop noodle mixture into prepared pan. Smooth top.

Crush cereal between hands or place in a plastic bag and use a mallet to crush the cornflakes. Mix those with the melted butter until all are coated. Spread evenly over the top of the kugel.

Bake for about an hour or until kugel feels firm and a knife inserted into the center comes out clean. A thicker kugel may take a few more minutes and a smaller kugel, less.