A rich, comforting chocolate bread pudding made with brioche and melty chocolate, served warm with a silky vanilla sauce. It’s cozy, decadent, and perfect for any occasion.
PrintRich Chocolate Bread Pudding
This Chocolate Bread Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert—crispy on the edges, gooey in the middle, and bursting with pockets of melty chocolate. Made with buttery brioche or challah, it soaks up a luscious custard spiked with vanilla and a hint of espresso for depth. Baked to golden perfection, it’s indulgent on its own but becomes unforgettable when paired with a warm pour of homemade vanilla sauce. Whether you serve it for a dinner party, holiday gathering, or cozy night in, this dessert brings old-fashioned soul with a gourmet twist.
- Prep Time: 20
- Cook Time: 45
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Stovetop, oven
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Bread Pudding:
6 cups cubed day-old brioche or challah (about 1-inch cubes)
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 large eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
Optional: 1 tbsp espresso powder (enhances chocolate flavor)
Optional: 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Simple Vanilla Sauce (Optional but Amazing)
1 cup whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup sugar
2 egg yolks
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp vanilla extract (or 1/2 vanilla bean, scraped)
Instructions
Instructions for Bread Pudding:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugars, vanilla, salt, and espresso powder if using in a large bowl, .
- Add bread cubes and stir gently to coat. Let soak for 15–20 minutes.
- Fold in chocolate chips and nuts (if using).
- Pour into prepared dish and bake 40–45 minutes, until puffed and just set in the center.
- Rest 10 minutes before serving. Serve warm with vanilla sauce or ice cream.
Instructions for optional vanilla sauce:
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Whisk milk, cream, sugar, and cornstarch in a saucepan,. Warm over medium heat until just steaming.
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Whisk yolks in a small bowl . Slowly pour some warm mixture into yolks to temper, then return all to pan.
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Cook, stirring constantly, until thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 5–7 minutes).
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Remove from heat, stir in butter and vanilla. Strain if needed. Serve warm or chilled over bread pudding.
Notes
Tips & Variations:
✅ Best Bread to Use:
- Brioche or challah are ideal for their buttery richness and soft texture.
- You can also use croissants for an ultra-luxurious version, or day-old French bread for a more rustic finish.
✅ Liqueur Flavor Boosts:
- Add 2–3 tablespoons of liqueur to the custard mix for a grown-up twist:
- Baileys Irish Cream – extra creamy and subtly boozy.
- Grand Marnier – hints of orange and depth.
- Kahlúa – boosts the chocolate and coffee flavors.
- Amaretto – nutty and aromatic, pairs beautifully with chocolate.
- Alternatively, swirl a bit into the vanilla sauce after cooking.
✅ Serving with Vanilla Sauce:
- The vanilla sauce adds a creamy, delicate contrast to the rich chocolate pudding. It’s lightly sweet with a silky texture that complements the warm, soft pudding underneath.
- Pour it warm over the pudding just before serving to let it soak in slightly. The result is a comforting, custardy bite that’s both rich and balanced.
✅ Serve It Warm:
- Bread pudding is best served slightly warm. This brings out the richness of the chocolate, the custard’s softness, and makes the sauce or any chocolate chips inside slightly molten.
- If serving later, reheat individual servings in the microwave for 20–30 seconds or warm the whole dish gently in the oven at 300°F for 10–15 minutes.
✅ Other Serving Ideas:
- Top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of salted caramel.
- Sprinkle with powdered sugar, toasted nuts, or a pinch of sea salt for texture and flair.
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on standard ingredients and serving sizes. Actual values may vary depending on specific products used and portion sizes. This information is provided for convenience and should not be considered medical or dietary advice.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 heaping cup of pudding with 2 tablespoon of sauce
- Calories: 480
- Fat: 26
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Protein: 8