Description
This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is a rich and comforting dessert featuring soft torn sweet bread soaked in a creamy custard, studded with luscious cream cheese cubes and dark chocolate chunks. Baked to perfection with a golden-brown top and a gooey, indulgent center, it’s perfect for brunch, dessert, or a cozy treat any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Bread Base
- 1 loaf (about 1 pound) sweet bread (like brioche or challah), torn into 1-inch pieces
Custard Mixture
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Fillings
- 8 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks or chips, divided
Other
- Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter. Evenly scatter the torn bread pieces in the prepared dish to create an even layer.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined, forming a custard base.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread pieces in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to ensure all pieces are fully submerged and absorb the custard. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight to achieve a moist and gooey interior.
- Add the fillings: After the soaking period, gently fold in the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks evenly throughout the bread and custard mixture.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks over the top of the bread pudding. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken. Avoid overbaking to keep the center gooey.
- Cool and serve: Remove the bread pudding from the oven and allow it to cool for 15-20 minutes. This resting time lets the creamy center set perfectly for a luscious texture. Serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- Allowing the bread to soak thoroughly is key to ensuring a moist and gooey pudding center.
- Using brioche or challah bread enhances richness due to their buttery texture.
- Do not overbake; the pudding should remain slightly jiggly in the center to prevent dryness.
- Cream cheese adds a tangy, creamy contrast to the sweet chocolate and custard flavors.
- Serve warm, optionally with a drizzle of caramel or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Chocolate bread pudding, cream cheese dessert, baked custard, brioche pudding, chocolate dessert, brunch dessert
