Monday, April 27, 2015

Krista's Double Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding


I hate bread pudding. Seriously. It's just one of those desserts that I rarely like. I will confess to gobbling it up when a friend insisted we try a special bread pudding at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was fabulous. But most of the time - meh.

So it was very odd when I was overcome by the notion of making a chocolate bread pudding recipe for THE DIVA STEALS A CHOCOLATE KISS. I have no idea what possessed me. But I did it. And it was so good that I worried that it wasn't a real bread pudding!

Consequently, I enlisted the aid of two friends who love bread pudding. I set it before them and asked - is this bread pudding? Pretty pathetic, huh? They confirmed that not only was it great but that it was bread pudding. So if you happen to have people in your life who love chocolate but aren't enthusiastic about bread pudding, this recipe might change their minds.

You can serve it with whipped cream, but honestly, it's so addictive that it's very tasty plain.


Krista's Double Chocolate Bourbon Bread Pudding

9x13 baking dish
butter for greasing

1 loaf Challah

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Penzeys)
1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 1/2 cups milk (can use nonfat)
4 large eggs
4 tablespoons bourbon (1 airline size bottle)

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (I used Callebaut)

1. Tear the Challah into pieces and place in a large bowl.

2. Combine the cocoa powder, sugar, and salt and whisk together. Stir in the heavy cream and the  milk. In another bowl, lightly whisk the eggs. Whisk them into the milk mixture. Add the bourbon, give a final stir with the whisk and pour 1/2 of it over the bread. Turn the bread until it is all coated. Set aside for 30 minutes.

3. Preheat the oven to 350 and grease the pan. Pour the bread into the pan along with any liquid. Spread the bread in the pan. Scatter the chocolate chips over the bread. Pour the remaining milk mixture over top and bake for 20 minutes.

4. Turn the heat down to 275 and bake another 10 minutes or until the middle is firm and a cake tester comes out clean.


Tear up one loaf of Challah.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips.



18 comments:

  1. I have never had bread pudding (for some reason I never even wanted to try it). I am huge fan of chocolate, and this bread pudding looks good. Thank you for the recipe.

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    1. You might like it, Jen! I've made it a few times and it always disappears fast!

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  2. I've never liked bread pudding either Krista--until we went on a cruise a few years back. Their specialty was apricot bread pudding with a vanilla cream sauce. Delish! this looks wonderful too Krista, and can't wait for the next Diva:)

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    1. Oh, that sounds great, Roberta! I may have to get adventurous and try some other combinations.

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  3. There is a restaurant in Landrum, SC, named the Hare and Hound. They serve the most wonderful bread puddings. They make several varieties and have a different one each day. My favorite is their chocolate chip one.

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    1. Landrum. Must remember that when I travel south. Mine is probably different from theirs but it's very easy and very chocolatey!

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  4. This looks very good and very easy! Thank you for coming up with it.

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    1. My pleasure, Elaine. I don't know what came over me!

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  5. Oh My Goodness
    This sounds divine!
    Does that small amount of bourbon really make a difference?
    Now I need to find enough eaters so I can justify making this!

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    1. LOL! Libby, I didn't want to put in so much bourbon that it would overpower the dish. You can certainly try using more. This is just enough to impart a little bit of that yummy bourbon flavor.

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  6. What an amazing dessert, Krista, not only does this look delicious, it's clearly incredibly easy to put together. It also looks to me like a great use for day-old bread. (I'm a "waste not" fanatic.) Thanks for sharing and have a beautiful spring week as we countdown the release to your new DIVA!

    ~ Cleo

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    1. Thank you, Cleo. It is very easy to put together. And so yummy!

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  7. Wow! Now I can't think about anything else. What a terrific recipe, Krista. Thanks. XO MJ

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    1. I think you might like it, except for the carbs . . .

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  8. To be honest I never understood bread pudding. But this recipe reminds me of a "make ahead" deep dish french toast recipe I tried once. I won't say it was one of my crowning achievements but it wasn't horrible. But as you said meh.

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    1. LOL, Margaret. I make quite a few of those meh dishes. Like you, I wasn't a fan of bread pudding, but this one was so yummy that I thought maybe it wasn't a real bread pudding!

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  9. Honestly, you always post these fantastic dessert recipes just when I've decided to cut back on calories! I guess I'll have to wait to start my diet a little longer!

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    1. I wouldn't worry about it, Peg. If your husband is a fan of chocolate, you might not get much anyway!

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