Print

Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 702 reviews

This Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding recipe is a decadent and comforting dessert that combines rich semi-sweet chocolate with soft, custardy bread soaked in a creamy chocolate custard. Made with day-old challah or brioche, milk, cream, and eggs, it’s baked to perfection with a slightly crisp top and gooey interior, perfect for serving warm with optional toppings like salted caramel, fresh berries, or whipped cream.

Ingredients

Scale

Custard Base

  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream
  • 2 and 1/2 cups (600ml) whole milk
  • Two 4-ounce bars semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Bread and Chocolate

  • 1 loaf day-old challah bread or brioche, cut into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 cup (190g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or 4 extra ounces chopped chocolate

Optional Add-Ins

  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • Dried cranberries or cherries
  • Peanut butter chips

Optional Toppings

  • Salted caramel
  • Fresh berries
  • Homemade whipped cream

Instructions

  1. Heat Cream and Milk: Over medium heat, warm the heavy cream and whole milk in a medium saucepan until just simmering. Avoid boiling. Pour this hot mixture over the chopped semi-sweet chocolate. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to melt the chocolate gently, then stir until smooth and fully combined. Allow to cool slightly so it won’t cook the eggs in the next step.
  2. Prepare Custard Mixture: In a large bowl, whisk the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together until combined. Pour the slightly cooled chocolate cream mixture into the eggs and whisk until smooth and uniform. Divide this chocolate custard mixture into two equal parts.
  3. Soak Bread: Add the bread cubes and chocolate chips to one half of the custard and stir gently to coat the bread evenly. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan. Spread the chocolate-soaked bread mixture evenly in the pan, then pour the remaining plain chocolate custard over the top to fill in gaps. Optionally, sprinkle a few extra chocolate chips on top for visual appeal and extra chocolate flavor.
  4. Rest the Pudding: Cover the pan tightly with aluminum foil and let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes. This soaking step is crucial for the bread to absorb the custard fully. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the unbaked pudding for up to 1 day before baking.
  5. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350°F (177°C) to get ready for baking.
  6. Bake Covered then Uncovered: Place the covered bread pudding in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake an additional 20-25 minutes uncovered. The edges should be set and golden with a slightly crisp top, and a toothpick inserted should come out with just a few moist crumbs—not wet batter.
  7. Serve: Garnish with optional toppings such as salted caramel, fresh berries, or whipped cream. Serve the bread pudding warm for the best texture and flavor experience.
  8. Store Leftovers: Cover leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. The bread pudding can be enjoyed warm, at room temperature, or cold, though reheating may slightly change the custard’s texture, making it more solid.

Notes

  • Use day-old challah or brioche bread for the best texture; fresh bread may become too soggy.
  • Be careful not to boil the cream and milk mixture to avoid curdling and ensure smooth chocolate melting.
  • Resting the soaked bread pudding before baking allows the custard to fully absorb into the bread for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
  • Covering the pudding while baking prevents the custard from drying out; removing the cover towards the end crisps the top nicely.
  • Optional add-ins such as pecans or dried fruits can add interesting textures and flavors.
  • Leftover bread pudding is best eaten fresh but can be refrigerated and served cold or gently warmed.

Keywords: dark chocolate, bread pudding, dessert, chocolate custard, challah bread, brioche, chocolate chips, baked dessert, rich chocolate dessert

Find it online: https://mjrecipe.com/dark-chocolate-bread-pudding-recipe/