Monday, October 26, 2009

Chocolate Bread Pudding


When I was a kid, my grandmother made bread pudding every Thanksgiving and Christmas. My job was to cream the butter and sugar by hand. I hated, it, really hated it. Creaming the butter and sugar was hard work and it made my arm hurt. My grandmother's whiskey sauce for her bread pudding was amazing! Her bread pudding was phenomenal according to the family bread pudding experts, but her whiskey sauce did it for me! As my grandmother got older, her whiskey sauce got stronger. I had to have my serving of bread pudding with her wonderful whiskey sauce even if it made my eyes water just a bit.
Since my grandmother isn't around anymore, bread pudding isn't something I crave or ever attempted to make until I saw Paula Deen make this heavenly Chocolate Bread Pudding!
This bread pudding is light and will satisfy your chocolate craving.
1 loaf French cut into cubes
3 cups milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup Kahlua or coffee flavored liqueur
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoons pure almond extract
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
6 large eggs, lightly beaten
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking dish. Place the bread cubes in the baking dish.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, and Kahlua.

In another bowl, combine the granulated and brown sugars with the cocoa powder and mix well. Add this to the milk mixture and whisk to combine.

Add the vanilla and almond extracts and the cinnamon to the beaten eggs. Combine the egg mixture with the milk mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes; let stand, stirring occasionally, for at least 20 minutes, or until the bread has absorbed most of the milk mixture. Bake the pudding for 1 hour, or until set; a knife inserted into the center of the pudding should come out clean. Serving the pudding warm, or refrigerate it and serve chilled.

Serve it warm or cold, with whipped cream or a dessert sauce. You will definitely want to add this to your holiday dessert list.

42 comments:

April said...

I saw this too and thought it looked so good! Sweet memories!

The JR said...

Uummm. Looks really good.

Ramona

gigi said...

You know Bread Pudding is something our generation was raised on. Our grandmothers made the best and I've yet to find that same taste again. I went to a new little cafe downtown last week with a friend for breakfast. First time I had been out to breakfast in a long time. Well, I had heard that they had really good Bread Pudding and so I ordered nothing but that and I was not dissapointed!!! It was great and brought back a lot of memories. Still not as good as grandma's but pretty close.

I'll have to try Paula's one day :)

Lucy..♥ said...

ummmm.......bread pudding is a favorite here too, I will be making this soon as DD requested rice pudding today, real soon though ;-)

buffalodick said...

I've never even attempted bread pudding! My gramma used to make a steamed pudding for dessert on Christmas, English in origin I believe...we called it Sailor Duff. The topping was some sort of sauce and whipped cream! We made fun of it as kids- but we ate it all every time!

Pam said...

This is the second chocolate bread pudding recipe I've seen today. You have no idea how much I am craving some right now!

Tobi said...

Holy moly! I am from Lafayette, La and loving bread pudding is in my blood. I even had it at my wedding rehearsal dinner. I can't wiat to make this!

MsTypo said...

I adore bread pudding! I always order it for dessert when i see it the menu. I've never tried making it from scratch though.

La Bella Cooks said...

Oooh, bread pudding...the ultra comfort food! At least to my husband it is! I will be trying this recipe out for him.

Mary Bergfeld said...

I love bread pudding and this one appeals to me because it is lighter than most. I have one that I love but it really is too rich for any thing other than a stand alone dessert.

Jennifer said...

I adore bread pudding and this one looks fantastic! What a great Grammie!

Debbie said...

You know that Paula "rules" in my house. Sounds delicious....

Lyndas recipe box said...

Oooo, I'll have to try this...I love bread pudding and chocolate is a major weakness, so this dessert sounds wonderful! Thanks!

The Blonde Duck said...

Paula Deen is an inspiration in herself!

Chris said...

I forwarded the link to Alexis because she was just saying about a week ago that she wanted to make bread pudding. I've actually never had it.

Sweta (My Indian Dietitian) said...

I've always loved bread puddings-but my hubby isn't a big fan,but I'm guessing he may just like this one(thanks to the kahlua)!!
Will let you know :)

Julie said...

Yummo...I love bread pudding! Making it chocolate can only be a good thing.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

2nd bread pudding on saw on a blog today. Now I want some yum!

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

That looks so good. I've never made bread pudding and I don't know why. This may give me the incentive. And I do believe you that creaming butter and sugar by hand is hard work.
Sam

pam said...

I think bread pudding is the perfect dessert. It's so warm and comfy!

Lea Ann said...

Bread puddings are just delicious and there are so many versions. I'll have to post our family recipe one of these days. I haven't made it for years.

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

YumYum, you know I LOVE bread pudding and add in some chocolate on top of that? Oh yeah!

Sherri Murphy said...

Oh I Loooove bread pudding. Doesn't it just scream comfort?!

Mini Baker said...

YUMM chocolate bread pudding is my fav! SOO excited I found your blog! Can't wait to browse through, I'll be back often :)
-Mini Baker

pigpigscorner said...

I love bread pudding and I like your version! yum...

Katy ~ said...

it's been a while since I had bread pudding. This sounds dee-lish. LOL about the whiskey sauce getting stronger as time passed.

NKP said...

I love the generous amount of Kahlua in the bread pudding!

Marguerite said...

Ohhhh, you are speaking my language, cher! Divine!! Love this recipe and the Kahlua! Thanks for visiting, but you forgot to pick up your award on my last post!

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

Come on New Orleans girl... Thought you folks had bread pudding every meal...

Just took the classes and they taught us a pina colada bread pudding with pineapple and white chocolate. When we got back from our trip, we used some airport cinamon rolls to make some...

Bread pudding is amazing... I;ll be making it often, and love the chocolate in yours

Debbie said...

You know, I've never been a bread pudding fan. But, I think this recipe could bring me over to the other side!

Anonymous said...

Chocolate bread pudding sounds incredible, love the addition of Kahlua!

Wandering Coyote said...

I'm bookmarking this because it looks so amazing! I even have chocolate bread to use up!

Fresh Local and Best said...

I adore bread pudding! This one must be so good with the coffee liqueur and extracts!

A Fist Full of Dandelions said...

This looks heavenly! YUM! I think I just gained 5 pounds reading that recipe!

Laurie said...

I never think of making bread pudding at home either! I served so much of it at the restaurant I used to work at (where I met my hubby!) that I never wanted to look at it again.

But this is making me revise my thinking....

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

I had the same type of tradition, only it's rice pudding in our family. But your bread pudding looks equally delicious. I am going to try that. I could never say no to pudding!

XOOX
Jen

Coleens Recipes said...

What gorgeous photos!!

Penny said...

Looks good Katherine. I haven't made many bread puddings but love the story of your Grandmother.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Hi Katherine, I did make the Apple and Sausage Breakfast Bake--and the gals LOVED it. Someone else brought some home-made "Sticky-Buns"---but they were made with cream cheese instead of Cinnamon. Have you ever made them??? They are fabulous---but very rich (Just what I love)... ha ha

Your bread pudding looks great. I love Nawlins Bread Pudding--but have never had it with chocolate. I had some Peanut Butter Pie while in Maggie Valley--but it had TOO much chocolate in it for me.

Hugs,
Betsy

Reeni said...

I've never had a chocolate bread pudding - sounds absolutely divine! Such a yummy comfort with those precious memories.

MaryBeth said...

My mother made us bread pudding all the time when we were kids, I love the stuff. I have always wanted to try it in chocolate but just never have done it..i think i will now.YUMM-O

Lisa said...

Extraordinary! Bread Pudding is something I have just discovered in the past couple of years and I love it. I haven't made chocolate yet so I am bookmarking your post as the place to start. Yours looks fantastic.