Bread pudding. Such a weird thing. It makes you all confused, and for some reason conjures up images of 19th century England (...or...maybe that's just me. Anyway...). And it's like....is it pudding? Is it bread? WHAT IS IT??!
Turns out, it's basically bread that's been soaked in stuff and ends up being, kind of, pudding.
Mind you, I've still never had the original bread pudding.
But chocolate bread pudding, oh it makes my heart sing!
I tried it for the first time at this bakery I love near where my old apartment is (but still close enough that I can totally go there sometimes). I didn't really know what to expect but-come on, if it's chocolate, I knew it couldn't be bad. When I took my first bite of the warm, tender, richness that is chocolate bread pudding, I fell in love. It sort of reminds me of a chocolate lava cake...I'm unsure as to exactly why. Something about richness and chocolate...yeah. Anyway, I've been longing to try my hand at making some at home, and when I found a lightened up, low calorie chocolate bread pudding-I was intrigued, to say the least. Then I just had to wait until I got around to making it. When I saw the Daring Bakers Challenge was challah bread-that was when I knew! IT WAS TIME! This recipe makes 2 ramekins (so, enough for me and Michael--even though that weirdo preferred his cold), but it's super easy to double! It's a really delicious, and decadent tasting option if you're worried about your waistline, but I must warn: it's not as amazing as the real deal (or at least not as amazing as Martha's Country Bakery's). HOWEVER-still super awesome, and nicer to your tum tum as swimsuit season approaches. A win win, really. :)
Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding (Lightened Up)
Serves 2
Calories per serving: 277.1 (including whipped topping)
Ingredients:
- 1 3/4 cup challah bread, cut into 1/2 in. cubes (no crust)
- 2/3 cup milk (I used SkimPlus)
- 2 tbsp. granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 1 oz. dark chocolate, coarsely chopped
- Optional: 2 tbsp. fat free whipped topping
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lay bread chunks in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake about 5 minutes. Remove.
- Whisk together milk, sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla, and egg in a medium bowl.
- Add bread and toss it gently to coat.
- Cover and chill at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours. The bread will have soaked up the mixture:
- Coat two 6 oz. ramekins with cooking spray.
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- Divide half of bread mixture evenly between the ramekins. Sprinkle evenly with half the chocolate.
- Top each ramekin evenly with the rest of the bread mixture, then the rest of the chocolate.
- Place ramekins in an 8 x 8 square baking pan and fill with 1 in. of hot water.
- Bake 35 minutes, until set. Serve warm (unless you're a freak like Michael and prefer them cold). Optional:top with 1 tbsp. whipped topping.
*foodgasm*
Oh, this looks fabulous! Chocolate bread pudding is about the only kind I can get my family to eat!
ReplyDeleteOMG. This looks SO freakishly rich. You would never know you've done Jedi tricks to lighten it up! YUM!
ReplyDeleteLol "Jedi tricks" <3
DeleteThat looks so intense! And I agree, if it;s chocolate, how bad can it be. I am a massive fan of bread pudding but I've never had anything remotely similar.
ReplyDeleteyeah, right? It's weird-but good! lol
DeleteThe thing about this dish is that the word bread in the title is deceiving. After it is all put together and baked, the bread just isn't bread anymore. It crosses the line and becomes something insanely like rich warm chocolately fluff. Ooops-I think I just hit the craving meter! Delicious post!
ReplyDeleteTruth!
DeleteThis looks so yum, and perfect at the end of a long, crazy day:) I might just have to give this a go. I'll let you know how mine turns out.
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ReplyDeleteI saw your post on foodgawker!! Look amazing!! I am gonna try this one day!
ReplyDeleteThank you! You def. should!
DeleteYUM!!!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried bread pudding before, but have seen so many tempting recipes lately...and this is definitely one of them :)
ReplyDeleteI can totally picture myself digging into a warm cup of this delightful bread pudding. :)
ReplyDeleteThis looks like baking bread heaven :D
ReplyDeleteI love the chocolate twist!
Cheers
CCU
I think chocolate bread pudding would mask the fact I am eating soggy bread--haha it looks way more appetizing than most bread puddings I've tried!
ReplyDeleteTrust me-so good!
DeleteYum! I participated in the daring bakers's challenge and, while I made french toast with my honey whole wheat loaf, I still have a loaf of blueberry challah lying around. I think I'm going to have to make some bread pudding with it...
ReplyDeletesmart!
DeleteI have to tell you that I totally did a double-take when I saw "lightened up" on your blog title. I was like, where am I :-)
ReplyDeleteHeeeey! Lol sometimes I try to lighten stuff up!
Deletethis looks like a bowl filled with amazing chocolately goodness - i need to try this!
ReplyDeleteJust popped in to let you know that I've awarded you the One Lovely Blog Award: http://binomialbaker.blogspot.com/2012/05/one-lovely-blog-award.html
ReplyDeleteI didn't eat bread pudding for years because of the name. Was it suppose to be sweet or not? Then I was talked into sampling a pumpkin flavored one. It was divine. This one looks divine too. So yummy with the ooey, gooey chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI'm saaayiiing!
DeleteThat looks amazing! I love the picture with the chocolate chunks on top! *Drools* Yum!
ReplyDeleteDo you know where the non-lightened up version is?
ReplyDeleteThis entire recipe was created to be lighter-but if you google "chocolate bread pudding" recipes, you should easily be able to find the full fat/calorie version :P
DeleteI must try it Kayle!
ReplyDeleteGreat recipies!!
Great Blog!
Thanks!
Oh my, this just looks to good to be true!!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE bread pudding! I used to make white chocolate bread pudding when I worked at a restaurant, but this looks phenomenal. I might have to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteLooks darn good for lightened up!
ReplyDeleteThis looks good. I love chocolate and this is something I am sure I would love.
ReplyDeletenice posting. thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteWow, this looks incredible! Can't wait to try it soon!!
ReplyDelete