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Decadent Dark Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

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A rich and indulgent bread pudding featuring bittersweet dark chocolate and tart cherries, soaked in a creamy custard and baked to golden perfection. Perfect for cozy evenings or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 cups brioche or challah, cubed (preferably day-old)
  • 6 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (70% cocoa recommended)
  • 1 cup fresh pitted or frozen tart cherries, thawed and drained
  • 4 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for greasing and topping)

Instructions

  1. Cube 6 cups of day-old brioche into roughly 1-inch pieces. Place in a large bowl with pitted cherries and chopped dark chocolate. Toss gently to combine.
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together 4 large eggs, 3/4 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon salt until smooth. Gradually whisk in 2 cups whole milk or half-and-half.
  3. Pour the custard over the bread mixture. Press down gently with a spatula to ensure bread soaks up the custard. Let sit for 15 minutes at room temperature, folding occasionally.
  4. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish liberally.
  5. Transfer the soaked bread and custard mixture into the prepared dish, spreading evenly. Drizzle 2 tablespoons melted butter over the top.
  6. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and custard is set but slightly jiggly in the center. A toothpick should come out mostly clean with moist crumbs.
  7. Let cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. Serve warm with optional whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Notes

Use day-old bread for best soaking without mushiness. Gently fold ingredients to keep bread cubes intact. Tent with foil if top browns too fast. Let pudding rest before slicing for cleaner pieces. For a stronger cherry flavor, add cherry liqueur or brandy to custard. Frozen cherries must be thawed and drained well to avoid watery pudding.

Nutrition

Keywords: bread pudding, dark chocolate, cherry dessert, easy dessert, homemade dessert, comfort food, chocolate cherry bread pudding

Find it online: https://chrisfeasts.com/decadent-dark-chocolate-cherry-bread-pudding-recipe-easy-homemade-dessert/