Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding Recipe
This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is a rich and indulgent dessert featuring soft, sweet bread soaked in a creamy custard with pockets of cream cheese and dark chocolate chunks. Baked until golden with a slightly gooey center, this pudding offers a perfect balance of creamy, chocolatey, and comforting textures, making it an ideal treat for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes (including soaking time)
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
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 and Garnish
- 8 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks or chips, divided
- 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 baking dish, ensuring an even layer for soaking.
- Make the custard: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and fully combined, forming the custard base.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Gently press the bread pieces down to ensure they are fully submerged and absorb the liquid. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or better yet, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight to achieve optimal moisture and a gooey texture.
- Add the fillings: After soaking, gently fold the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks into the bread and custard mixture, distributing them evenly without breaking the bread.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks evenly over the top of the pudding. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly to the touch, indicating a creamy, molten center. Avoid overbaking to maintain gooeyness.
- Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the bread pudding to cool for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting time lets the creamy center set perfectly. Serve warm for the best decadent experience.
Notes
- Soaking the bread overnight in the custard enhances flavor and moisture.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for a richer chocolate flavor.
- Do not overbake to keep the center gooey and moist.
- This dessert can be served with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for added indulgence.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and gently reheated.
Keywords: bread pudding, chocolate bread pudding, cream cheese dessert, baked custard, brioche dessert, rich dessert, chocolate chunks, decadent pudding
