This week’s TWD was chosen by Lauren of Upper East Side Chronicle: four-star chocolate bread pudding! I have to confess that I almost skipped this week’s recipe. You see, I’ve never had bread pudding and didn’t think this would be something I’d like at all. I reconsidered after seeing how easy the recipe was and, well, because I joined this group to try things I wouldn’t otherwise make!
Since it was my first time making bread pudding, I decided to follow Dorie’s recipe to the T. I wish I’d had time to make my own bread to use in the recipe but by the time I decided to participate this week, there just wasn’t enough time. I went with a loaf of challah from Whole Foods as the next best option. I was glad Dorie provided instructions for “staling” the bread in the oven since my loaf was very fresh.
I loved how simple this recipe was: heat the milk and cream then whisk it into a combination of sugar and eggs before adding the chocolate and pouring it over the bread. I threw some raisins in with my bread as Dorie suggested since I absolutely love the combination of chocolate and raisins. The bread didn’t quite soak up all of the liquid before I baked it, which I subsequently learned worried some of the other TWD bakers, but I was blissfully ignorant and didn’t even consider it might be a problem!
Fortunately, in the end, I don’t think the extra liquid mattered at all. My bread pudding seemed done after about 35 minutes and I didn’t even let it cool before trying some. Oh my, am I ever a chocolate bread pudding convert!!! This was SO good! It sort of reminded me of soggy french toast and I mean that in a very complimentary way 🙂 I’m not sure if I’d like “regular” bread pudding because for me, the chocolate seemed like a key ingredient but perhaps I’ll give it a try with some of my leftover challah. One thing is for sure and that’s that chocolate bread pudding is not a terribly photogenic food, but I’m not going to hold it against it.
Thanks Lauren for introducing me to the goodness that is bread pudding! You can find the recipe on Lauren’s blog. Be sure to head over to the TWD blogroll to check out the other bakers.
Lemon Bars
Glazed Grapefruit Cake
Orange Sherbet
Meyer Lemon Pound Cake
Great job! I didn’t make this one… But it looks like you had a great success!
Yeeeeeeeeeey – you’re a chocolate bread pudding convert!!!
Mmm, it looks great! I’ve never really cared about extra liquid with bread puddings….it just makes it more moist in my opinion! 🙂
-Amy
http://www.singforyoursupperblog.com
Chocolatey french toast is a good description of this – and I’m glad you’re converted to a bread pudding lover!
OK, a whole lotta lunches are not being eaten or are being postponed here at the office because of this one. I should have known better than to bring it in before lunch! To make matters worse, I stopped for some whipped cream on the way back to the office because it just seemed right. Everyone I’ve talked to loves it. I was a bit worried about the mix of this recipe with Chocolate, but it really works! Great flavor AND texture. Some here are bread pudding first timers, others have grown up with it, and a few (like me) have it on the rare occasion. (I had the more traditional kind at the Commander’s Palace in New Orleans and it was incredible!)
Some of us are going to heat it up for the next try this afternoon, so I should have waited with this review, but I can always add on later. Thanks again!
This was good. I am definitely on the bread pudding train.
I wish I had used more donuts, they didn’t soak up all the liquid and I halved the custard amount.
I loved the recipe as well! I used french bread though and so mine was more chewy which I liked.
Isn’t it fun to find something to love that you didn’t know you were looking for, didn’t know you needed in your life, and didn’t think you would? Congrats on that alone. Oh, and your bread pudding looks very lovely!
Bread pudding is so much fun to make, so easy and DELISH! Great for breakfast!
Truly,
Jenifer
I agree – I’m wondering if I’d like any other bread pudding after this. But pumpkin bread pudding sound pretty fantastic, so maybe 🙂 Yours looks awesome!
I’m so glad you liked it. Your bread pudding looks fantastic.
I was thinking this would make a darn good breakfast. It’s not so different from French toast.
yeah, i agree, not the most photogenic thing in the world! 🙂 isn’t it funny how sometimes the recipes you’re least thrilled about and want to skip end up surprising you in the end? glad you were a convert… at least to chocolate bread pudding so far!
I am so glad you liked it. I worried about having too much liquid and didn’t use it all, but then my bread pudding was a little dry I think. So I think making it to a T is the right idea.
Your’s looks JUST like the picture in the book. Amazing. Just ‘beautious’. 😉
Sounds like a success! Glad you liked it.
I’m glad you enjoyed this! I agree, TWD has definitely expanded my baking repertoire.
That’s so great that you liked it so much! It’s always worth it to give a recipe a try – you never know until you taste it!
Don’t you love it when you surprise yourself? I think its so Fun! What’s not to love about chocolate and bread? Seriously. I am so glad you took the challenge and discovered something new that you like. BTW It looks good. Great Job!
AmyRuth
It’s so nice to fall in love, huh! 😉 I liked it–more than I thought I would. The orange flavoring in mine was even better today.
Your pictures look great. I’m glad you liked it so much.
So glad you tried and liked it! Sometimes it’s harder making something I’ve never had before – I don’t know what it’s supposed to be like. Great job!
Super yummy, huh? My first time making it too! 🙂
It is so worth being a convert, isn’t it? Funny about the worries with the bread NOT soaking up the liquid..for me, that’s a requirement, since I love the custard so much!! In mine, I note I wish I’d used a deeper pan just so I could get more of that good custard.
Oh, isn’t that the beauty of TWD? Finding out that a recipe you almost skipped is a new favorite? Happened with me and the Dimply Plum Cake. Well, so what if it’s not a beauty queen! I increased my bread and I wish I’d had more custard, so I think you had it perfect. Regular non-chocolate bread pudding can be really delicious also.
Nancy
I’m so glad you loved this one, too! We thought it was amazing and irresistible. I do want to try it with challah as it seems like it would be fabulous texture and flavor wise.
I can’t believe how many people from the TWD had never had bread pudding before! WOW! I grew up on that stuff!!! It’s a great way to use up old stale bread of any kind (hamburger buns, doughnuts, croissants, etc) …although this recipes is obvisouly a “Deluxe” version with most of 7 eggs and heavy cream!
In the end, I’ very glad you are converted! LOL …and must I add, you should indeed try the classic one, with more raisins (perhaps even fresh or dried apples idf you’d like), cinnamon and topped with maple sirup if available (or similar kinda sauce), YUM!
Well done, Tracey!
It looks amazing, I think and I am so glad you loved it!
We ate this for breakfast and dessert — it’s very versatile. Glad you gave it a try, and I hope you’ll make bread pudding again.
I think your pictures of this unphotogenic good came out great! It’s always so fun when you end up liking a recipe more than you anticipate you will.
Your pudding turned out great! Next time, I’m going to try some of everyone’s variations – cinnamon or a sauce like bourbon. Glad you enjoyed.
Ciao ! Actually I like your picture of it !!
I have a feeling that you’ll like other bread puddings, too. It’s really good with peaches or just raisins and a bourbon sauce. Yum!
You are right, it was hard to photograph – but I am so happy it all worked out for you!
I’m so glad that you liked this! I loved it too but I also love regular bread pudding as well. I will say, the chocolate in this one just puts it over the top, doesn’t it?
nice work! It seems like this was the first bread pudding for many bakers…glad you liked it
It’s so funny, I never made bread pudding before either, but I have tried it and hated it. But with this, my bread didn’t soak up the custard much either, and I didn’t read the P&Qs, so I didn’t know the responses to this, and I LOVED it! I am totally a bread pudding convert as well! Maybe ignorance is bliss? Haha! It looks great!
I’m so glad you had such a wonderful first experience with bread pudding! Yay for becoming a convert!! Your bread pudding certainly look fabulous. Chocolate bread pudding is definitely one of my favorite desserts; so yummy.
This looks divine!
Your pudding looks wonderful!!! Glad you liked it; I perfer a more traditional bread pudding, no chocolate. Great pictures!
Glad that you enjoy the bread pudding. Yours looks great!
Looks delicious! Glad you found that you liked it! I didn’t mind the extra liquid either.
I feel like a convert too. I went into it expecting not to like it, but in the end, I loved it.
glad you liked it! you should give regular bread pudding a try to – i have a pretty good recipe in my blog 🙂
This sounds really good! I can’t to try it!
That looks great. Favorite once made a pumpkin bread pudding that was delicious… sure, chocolate is great, but you should consider trying other kinds too.
I think it looks great!With all the rave reviews on this recipe, I cant wait like to try it!I cant remember when I last had chocolate bread pudding.
And yours looks great. Glad you liked it – a lot!!!
Looks perfect!
Wow Tracey . . that is one beautiful bread pudding. Textbook perfect.
Glad you’re a convert! Please put on your Bread Pudding Cult tunic now. 🙂 You should most definitely try a non-chocolate version too–it can be very different, but delicious in a different way. Yum!
Glad you liked it and nice job with the photos, this was a hard one to photograph. I made two 8×8 and gave them away (no time to post, alas), they were really well received. I have never had bread pudding before either, but don’t think a non-dairy substitute would work well!
I love the chocolate & raisin combo as well. I didn’t get to make this last weekend, but maybe I will one of these days. Yours looks really good, even if it isn’t photogenic. =)
I am a sucker for bread pudding. I am now officially craving it for tonight. I think I’ll be making this sooner than later. Thanks for sharing!