To me, warm bread pudding is the ultimate comfort food… Especially if its rich and gooey chocolate bread pudding!
I’m one of those people who can be kind of picky about food textures. I’m not a fan of oatmeal, and I always gobble my cereal as quickly as possible (when I eat it at all) before there’s any time for it to get soggy… So, it’s kind of amazing that I like bread pudding as much as I do.
I think it all started with the dark chocolate bread pudding at the Hotel Hershey (which is only a few minutes from my house, yet I have never gone to the Chocolate Spa)… It’s rich and chocolatey, and I just love that I can get away with eating it at brunch.
So, when I chose this month’s Kitchen Bootcamp topic, I knew I would be making bread pudding… Trying to recreate the bread pudding from the Hotel Hershey. In the end, I was quite pleased with the results… I was a bit heavy handed with the chocolate (more chocolate is always better, if you ask me), and the pudding had a nice fudgy consistency. Even my hubby, who is not typically a bread pudding fan, loved it… Especially topped with whipped cream!
While you could bake the bread pudding in individual ramekins for cute individually sized portions, I opted to just make the whole thing in a large baking dish instead… Less mess! To pretty it up a bit, I’d recommend serving it in cute little dishes with a bit of whipped cream. You can add a sprig of mint if you really want to get fancy!
Reminder – Due to my upcoming surgery, I will be extending the May Kitchen Bootcamp challenge until June 15th.
Decadent Chocolate Bread Pudding
(Serves 8-10)
- 2 1/2 cups half and half
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips
- 4 eggs
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 6 cups day old bread, cut into cubes
(I had leftover sourdough on hand, so that’s what I used) - Whipped cream (optional)
Bring the half and half to a simmer in a medium saucepan over the stove. Remove from the heat, add the chocolate chips. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to melt the chocolate, then stir to evenly combine.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the eggs, brown sugar, vanilla, and salt. Gradually add the chocolate mixture to the egg mixture, beating to gradually temper the eggs. Continue to beat the mixture until it is smooth and all of the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes, and toss to evenly coat all of the bread. Let the mixture sit for at least 15 minutes, while you preheat the oven to 325°F. Grease a large baking dish, and then transfer the bread mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake for about 45 minutes, until the center is set, but the pudding is still moist. Serve warm topped with whipped cream, if desired.
Wow- looks seriously decadent! I love whipped cream on any kind of chocolate pudding…perfect.
Looks amazing!!!
stop it..this is illegal somewhere. wow. looks amazing!!!!
I just had a craving for bread pudding and now I want it even more! This looks so delicious.
Decadent indeed! This is my idea of the perfect bread pudding. Love it!
Wow that looks fabulous! So indulgant and chocolaty!
This is pretty addictive! I love the addition of the topping. Really mouthwatering!
Hope you’re having a great day.
Blessings, Kristy
Hotel Hershey and the chocolate spa-what a wonderful neighborhood to inspire you every day! Loving the ingredient addition photography. Thanks for a super recipe.
Sounds like perfect comfort food to me! And I’ve still never been to the Hershey factory either. We should go sometime. :-)
Wow – this looks delicious and easy. I wish I had the ingredients on hand to make it right now!
Hershey Hotel? They should open one here :) this bread pudding looks delicious! happy Wednesday
Ah now THIS is my type of bread pudding… I made one recently with chocolate brioche but this is even better!
Just wanted to say thanks for this great recipe! I made this for Thanksgiving today & it was perfect! :)
Great recipe as the hotel’s version is a little large for our family. Thank You!
I also recommend the chocolate buffet for lunch at the Hershey Hotel as a real treat for those that want to indulge in chocolate heaven on a visit. I try to eat there whenever in town.