CREAMY CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING
A spicy meal calls for a smooth dessert. Bread pudding is a traditional
favorite in New Orleans, but this recipe goes one step beyond
tradition by incorporating plenty of chocolate. The result is warm,
rich, and very delicious--especially served with whipped cream or ice
cream. Serves 8.
1-1/2 c milk
1-3/4 c + 2 tbsp heavy cream
1/2 c sugar
1-1/2 c chocolate chips
1/8 tsp salt
3 large eggs, beaten with a fork
1/3 large French baguette, buttered and cut into 1/2-inch cubes (3 c
total)
Place bread cubes in a large bowl; set aside. Combine milk, cream,
sugar, chocolate chips, and salt in a medium saucepan. Cook over low
heat, whisking occasionally, until chocolate is melted and the mixture
is an even brown (no little chocolate specks floating in the milk),
10-15 minutes.
Remove chocolate mixture from heat. Add eggs, whisking constantly.
Pour mixture over bread cubes. Stir with a large spoon.
Refrigerate mixture 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until all bread
is thoroughly soaked.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 2-qt baking dish with butter.
Pour pudding into dish. Bake 45 minutes. Lay a piece of aluminum foil
over the top of the dish, tucked loosely around the edges; return
pudding to oven and bake 25-30 minutes longer, until a tester inserted
near the center comes out clean. Cool 10-15 minutes before serving.