Recipe: Chocolate Bread Pudding Drizzled with Heavy Cream

Chocolate Bread Pudding
Drizzled with Heavy Cream

I never tasted bread pudding until I made this one, which tastes like a very rich, very decadent brownie. Even if you don't usually serve heavy cream don't omit it here: the pudding is at its best with something that contrasts with the chocolate intensity. You could also serve vanilla or cinnamon ice cream or whipped cream instead of the heavy cream.

Note:
If you can find it, it's worth searching health food and specialty food stores for heavy cream that has not been ultra pasteurized.

6 cups of 1/2 to 1 inch bread cubes
(from day-old anadama, oatmeal, challah,
cinnamon, white bread or a combination)
1-1/2 cups heavy cream
6 ounces semisweet chocolate, grated
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, grated
1/2 cup sugar
5 large eggs, separated
1/2 cup unsalted butter; at room temperature
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 550 degrees F. Lightly butter an 8 x 8-inch baking dish.

Place the bread cubes in a large mixing bowl. Place 1 cup cream in a small saucepan and cook over low heat until it is warm. Add the chocolates and cook until they are completely dissolved, about 5 minutes. Place the cream and chocolate mixture in a food processor fitted with a steel blade and blend. While the machine is running, gradually add the sugar egg yolks, butter and vanilla and process until smooth. Pour the mixture over the bread cubes.

Place the egg whites and salt in an electric mixer fitted with a whisk and beat until they form stiff peaks. Gradually fold in the whites, by hand, to the chocolate mixture, and gently combine until incorporated.

Transfer to the prepared baking dish and place in a larger roasting pan filled with 2 inches of water. The baking dish should be surrounded by a bath of hot water. Transfer the roasting pan to the oven and bake until the pudding just begins to set, about 55 minutes.

Serve warm in individual bowls or cups, drizzled with the remaining 1/2 cup cream.

The $50 Dollar Dinner Party
By Sally Sampson
Fireside Books
Paperback, $14.00
ISBN 0-684-842289
Recipe Reprinted by permission.