This sinfully rich dark chocolate bread pudding tastes like a pan of warm fudgy brownies. For the best taste and texture, use challah bread and real chocolate.
Offer me bread pudding and I’ll take a hard pass. The thought of soggy white bread swimming in a pool of cream sauce sounds like an epic waste of calories. But as I work to expand my baking repertoire this year, I decided to dive into this mysterious dessert. Like, what really is bread pudding? What are you? What are you not? What can you be? Why am I talking to you?
Pull up a chair and listen up. Bread pudding can be delicious. REALLY REALLY DELICIOUS. And this is coming from someone who said nope!!!! to this dessert only a few weeks ago. There’s all sorts of ways to bake bread pudding, but this chocolate bread pudding recipe—complete with buttery challah bread and real chocolate—is my favorite. My only regret is waiting so long to try it this way!
What Does Chocolate Bread Pudding Taste Like?
This chocolate bread pudding tastes like warm brownie squares, monkey bread, and French toast casserole all in one. It’s as fabulously rich as my flourless chocolate cake. Do I really need to continue? Pair this with rivers of salted caramel, pockets of melty chocolate chips, juicy raspberries and fresh whipped cream on top… and you basically have a mountain of chocolate covered calories. I mean a mountain of underrated delicious texture that totally deserves a chance in your kitchen too. Don’t waste another second dismissing bread pudding. This dark chocolate bread pudding is legit!
2 Parts to Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Dark chocolate custard sauce. Use real chocolate here. You can grab semi-sweet chocolate, bittersweet chocolate, or unsweetened chocolate. You’ll need two 4-ounce bars, 8 ounces total. I used unsweetened chocolate because I knew I wanted to top the bread pudding with salted caramel and sweetened whipped cream. This bread pudding is so rich that you don’t want it over-sweetened. Heat some cream and milk (or you can use half-and-half) then pour over the chocolate and mix it all together. You’ll have a very thinned out chocolate ganache. Let it cool down for a minute (so as not to cook the eggs), then add eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, + salt. All of this makes your super chocolate-y custard.
- Bread. Want to know the secret to absolutely awesome bread pudding? It’s the bread. Now I didn’t make the challah from scratch, but you definitely can. You can also use brioche (you can make your own using the same dough we use for Nutella babka if you’re up for it!), croissant bread, or any rich bread you love l. For something a little less heavy, but equally decadent, use a baguette. Whichever bread you use, the secret is to let it sit out overnight to dry out. It will soak up more chocolate custard sauce that way.
Remember, stale bread is best. Mix the bread with half of the chocolate custard, then pour the remaining custard on top of it all. Why are you doing it this way? So there’s more pockets of warm chocolate custard!!
Helpful Tips for Chocolate Bread Pudding
- For extra texture, I suggest an add-in or two. I highly recommend chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (pick up a third 4-ounce chocolate bar). These chunks of chocolate paired with the chocolate soaked bread is outstanding. I also like dried cherries, peanut butter chips, or chopped pecans. I can’t say this enough: I loved the chocolate chips between the soft chocolate-soaked bread. And I can’t say this enough either: this tastes like a pan of warm brownies. But better.
- Let the bread pudding sit before baking so the bread can soak up some of the custard. Simply wait 5 minutes, preheat the oven, and by the time the oven’s ready… so is the bread pudding.
Top It Off!
Besides the texture and the whole “pan of warm brownies” element, what I love most about this dark chocolate bread pudding is its versatility. Do you have to add salted caramel? Of course not. Can you add chopped pecans and top with coffee ice cream? It’s encouraged. What about adding dried cherries or peanut butter chips? Go for it. As long as you follow this cream-milk-egg-chocolate ratio, you can really add anything you want.
I haven’t tried this bread pudding with the raspberries mixed into the unbaked bread pudding, but I’m eager to try. I just dotted a few on top for serving. I brought this over to my in-laws to taste since I’m not really a bread pudding connoisseur. They LOVED it.
There’s a few recipe notes, so make sure you read them before beginning. I PROMISE you’ll be a bread pudding fan after 1 bite. I certainly am! Does anyone have a traditional bread pudding recipe I should try? I’m still holding out hope!
PrintDark Chocolate Bread Pudding
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes
- Yield: serves 12
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This sinfully rich dark chocolate bread pudding tastes like a pan of warm fudgy brownies. For the best taste and texture, use challah bread and real chocolate.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (240ml) heavy cream*
- 2 and 1/2 cups (600ml) whole milk*
- two 4-ounce bars semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped*
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 loaf day-old challah bread, cut into 1 inch cubes*
- 1 cup (190g) semi-sweet chocolate chips or 4 extra ounces chopped chocolate
- optional add-ins: 1 cup of chopped pecans, dried cranberries/cherries, peanut butter chips, etc
- optional toppings: salted caramel, fresh berries, homemade whipped cream
Instructions
- Over medium heat, heat the heavy cream and whole milk in a medium saucepan until simmering. (Do not let it come to a rapid boil—that’s too hot!) Pour over chocolate and let it sit for 2-3 minutes to gently soften the chocolate. Then stir until completely combined and chocolate has melted. Set aside for a few minutes to slightly cool down so as not to cook the eggs in the next step.
- Whisk the eggs, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt together in a large bowl. Pour in the chocolate cream mixture and whisk until smooth. Divide this chocolate custard mixture in half. Add the bread cubes and chocolate chips to one half and stir to evenly coat.
- Grease a 9×13-inch (or similar size) baking pan. Spread the chocolate soaked bread evenly into the pan. Pour the remaining chocolate custard evenly over the top. If you have extra, dot a few chocolate chips on top too (this is for looks and extra chocolate taste). Cover tightly with aluminum foil and allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes so the bread has a chance to soak up some of the custard. This is crucial. You can also chill the unbaked bread pudding in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Bake the bread pudding for 45-50 minutes* until the edges appear set. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. It will come out with a few moist crumbs, but won’t be overly wet. *I bake it covered for the first 20-25 minutes, then remove the aluminum foil for the remaining time so it can slightly crisp on the top and around the edges.
- Garnish with toppings and serve warm.
- Cover leftovers tightly and store in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Serve leftovers warm, room temperature, or cold. We found that the bread pudding had a slight texture change when reheated. The custard was a little more solid and not deliciously soft. The bread pudding is best eaten right out of the oven.
Notes
- Make Ahead Instructions: You can prepare the bread pudding through step 3 and refrigerate for up to 1 day before baking. You can also freeze the baked bread pudding for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then reheat in the oven until warm throughout. See the last step in the recipe with notes on the taste/texture after reheating. I do not suggest freezing the unbaked pudding as the custard will separate when thawing/baking.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Glass Mixing Bowls | Silicone Spatula or Wooden Spoon | Whisk | 9×13-inch Baking Dish
- Cream / Milk: I found the best combination of liquid to be 1 cup of heavy cream/heavy whipping cream with 2 and 1/2 cups of whole milk. Alternatively, you can use 3 and 1/2 cups of full-fat half-and-half. I do not suggest all whole milk or anything lower in fat. If you buy a pint of heavy cream, you can use the leftover 1 cup to make whipped cream to top the baked bread pudding. See step 6 in this strawberry shortcake recipe for how I usually make homemade whipped cream.
- Chocolate: Since you’re essentially making a thinned-out ganache, it’s best to use real chocolate. You can find the 4 ounce baking bars in the baking aisle. I like using Ghirardelli or Baker’s brand. You can use 8 ounces (heaping 1 and 1/3 cups) of quality chocolate chips instead, such as Ghirardelli brand. I tested this recipe with unsweetened chocolate as I knew I wanted to top it with salted caramel and sweetened whipped cream. It was extra dark and not overly sweetened; we loved it. You can use semi-sweet, bittersweet, or unsweetened chocolate. White chocolate will work as well, though I would reduce the granulated sugar to 1/4 cup.
- Bread: You need around 1 lb of bread, which is about 10 cups of cubes (give or take). I suggest a rich bread like challah or brioche. You can also use a baguette. I don’t suggest a heartier bread or sourdough bread as their flavors don’t pair well with sweet bread pudding. Whichever bread you use, slice and leave it out overnight so it’s stale and can really soak up the custard. Moist bread creates a soggy bread pudding.
- Individual Servings: You can bake the bread pudding in several individual ramekins. Adjust the baking time as needed.
- Adapted from King Arthur Flour and Food & Wine
Hi there! I’m excited to make this! Question, though: I want to put this in two 8×8 pans instead of a 9×13. Is there a good heuristic for how cooking times will change for 8×8 pans?
Hi Ryan, we’re unsure of the exact bake time, but it will likely be just a bit less than as written. Keep a close eye on it. When it’s done, the edges appear set. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. It will come out with a few moist crumbs, but won’t be overly wet. Hope you enjoy it!
Thank you! It seems it only took a couple minutes less to cook than a 9×13. I think I could have stood to heat my milk/cream mixture a bit longer. It was almost a simmer but not all the chocolate melted in it. I think I got scared of it hitting a rolling boil. Despite that, it came out tasty!
Hi Sally. I have to tell you I have been receiving your emails and recipes for months! You have become one of my go to for recipes! I love your hints and love how you continue to educate us on baking tips! Like measuring flour which I never knew! And I have been cooking and baking for many many years! Quick question. When it comes to chocolate I get completely confused on percentages of cacao for a recipe. For example, semi sweet bars for this recipe! I do buy chocolate bars but I have a majority of 70% cacao. A few 60% and milk chocolate on hand. Would it be 60% bars for semi sweet? Thanks for your help. A friend of mine loves bread pudding and would like to make this for her! Thanks again for all your incredible tasty delicious recipes! Suz
Hi Suz! Semi sweet chocolate usually has a cocoa percentage of around 60%. Happy baking!
I’m a bread pudding fan and I’m pleased with how this turned out. I used sandwich bread (left over for turkey stuffing in the freezer since Thanksgiving) – it’s probably even better with challah or similar bread but I needed to use up my leftover bread. I used a combination of Ghirardelli and Baker’s and some high cocoa content morsels – the point being that this is a flexible and forgiving recipe. I also added dried cherries. The description is spot-on – this is like fudgy brownies.
Just wondering could I leave out the chocolate for the custard. We have family members that are not chocolate lovers. I want to make one of each flavor.
Hi Carolyn, We wouldn’t recommend leaving the chocolate out of this one. Your family might love something like this French Toast Casserole instead!
Made it, loved it ! Best bread pudding I did in a oven. That’s a new way for me. That’s soooo chocolaty. I ate it with whipped cream and red fruits, delicious !
I just put it in the oven, I can’t wait, my liquid was also watery, hopefully this will thicken as it cooks.
This is by far the greatest bread pudding I have ever made and I have made my fair share. Thanks so much!
Made this for Mother’s Day 2021. Outstanding!
The tips helped make this successful. I used white bread, with crust, left over from another use. Followed the tip that the bread should be a bit stale, so I toasted the bread lightly.
I prepared everything the night before and let it all sit refrigerated overnight, then baked it off in the morning, following the tip to do covered/uncovered. Huge hit! Thanks Sally!
Can you be more specific about what size loaf (in ounces) you are using here? Thanks!
Hi Ann, you need around 1 lb (or 16 oz.) of bread, which is about 10 cups of cubes (give or take). Hope this helps!
I made this few times now since I fell
I love with this recipe. I added fresh cranberries that I chopped and mixed them into the batter. It was incredible!
I’ll make this again. I just bought two loaves of challah bread for This . I’m super excited!
Tried it and loved it! Tastes better chilled in my opinion
Hi Sally! Love all your recipes! I’m halving the recipe for an 8 inch square pan. Should I keep the same baking time? Thanks!
Hi Meghna, The bake time will be less for a smaller pan but I’m unsure of the exact time. Keep an eye on it and bake until the edges appear set. Use a toothpick to test for doneness. It will come out with a few moist crumbs, but won’t be overly wet.
Is there a max amount of time the bread can be left out? Can it get too stale?
I wouldn’t leave it out for more than 2 full days. Wouldn’t want it to start going bad!
Can you make this for an 8×8 baking pan?
You can halve the recipe for an 8-inch square pan.
I think I used to much bread or let it get too stale. Was too bready and not enough custard!
Made a ganache and poured over the next day, with the real whip cream!!! Now that was better!!
Will probably try again, it was tasty
Mine was also bready and not sweet enough? Used unsweetened chocolate… maybe I baked it too long (45 minutes)?
I bought a loaf of challah bread and decided I would make bread pudding for the first time. It’s so decadent and delicious! I used 8 oz. semi sweet chocolate but bittersweet for the chips and the combination is perfect! The custard will be thin , but it all gets absorbed as long as you give it time before baking. I chilled mine in the fridge overnight. Even my kids (who were skeptical about bread pudding), loved it!
I plan to make this in ramekins for my Halloween party. How many would this serve? I have 10 people. I will review afterwards. Thanks!
Perfect birthday breakfast Sally!!!! I baked it in a casserole dish, and anything baked in a casserole dish can count as breakfast, right?? SO DELICIOUS…..my family was very skeptic about it but were totally convinced after they smelt it baking in the oven and even more so after trying the first bite!! 😀 Thank you Sally!
My boyfriend baked this for me two years in a row for my birthday and it’s to die for. I love all of your recipes so much because they are so tried and true, so when he asked me to find a cake recipe for him I pointed him to your page ♡
Happy birthday, Carrie! I’m so glad you enjoy this recipe enough to request it two years in a row!
This has become a staple in my home. Thanks Sally!!!!
Oh my sweet goodness. I am a huge fan of bread pudding so had to make this one. Just took it out of the oven. I could tell by the smell coming from the oven that it was going to be phenomenal. This is by far THE best bread pudding I’ve ever had, both the taste and texture! Chocolate goodness. Savored every last bite of it. Another amazing recipe. A keeper!
Awesome recipe Sally!..Such an awesome texture..This got hugely appreciated and was finished within minutes. Great recipes!
Perfection once again thanks to Sally! Didn’t make the salted caramel sauce (I will next time) but I did make the sweetened whipped cream and added some fresh raspberries. I used challah bread and the texture was perfect as was the flavor of the semi sweet ghirardelli baking chocolate with a few extra chips thrown in for good measure. Was great warm but also terrific out of the fridge for breakfast!
I made this today and it was wonderful! I dried my bread for a couple of days. I used a combo of dark and semi sweet chocolate. I froze some raspberry filled chocolates, chopped them, and mixed them in with the bread. I was a little nervous because I thought my chocolate custard didn’t look as thick as what was pictured but no worries. This recipe is a keeper ❤️
Hi Sally!
My chocolate custard was totally thin- completely liquid.
Should the custard have thickened up? Any idea what might have gone wrong here and what it will do to the baked bread pudding?
Thanks!
Hi Shawn! It should thicken up as it cools. Did you use heavy cream and pure chocolate?
This looks amazing, Sally! I can’t wait to try it out! One question, though: could this be made with white chocolate bars? Or even half white half dark?
There’s this restaurant near me that serves this amazing white chocolate bread pudding and I’ve never been able to make one that’s even close, so I’m hoping to have good results with your recipe.
Hi Emy! All white chocolate or half & half could definitely work. Keep in mind the sugar. White chocolate is very sweet, so if you use all white chocolate, I would reduce down to 1/4 cup.
Question ? Would croissants work in this recipe???
We can’t see why not!
I’m unsure of the results, sorry! I highly recommend an oven if you can get your hands on one. There are some nice recipes online for microwave bread pudding “mug” cakes if you search for it, though!
Hi Ann! Add the pecans in step 2 where I instruct to add the chocolate chips. 🙂