Decadent Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

🕒 Prep: 15 min
🔥 Cook: 50 min
🍽 Serves: 8
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This Decadent Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert, combining rich flavors and textures into a single, indulgent dish. Perfect for using up day-old brioche, it’s a treat that will leave everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients for Decadent Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding

The base of any good bread pudding is the brioche bread; its buttery richness and soft texture soak up the custard beautifully. Heavy cream and whole milk create that luscious, creamy custard. The granulated sugar sweetens the dish to just the right level. With eggs, you get that essential structure and richness. A splash of vanilla extract enhances the overall flavor, while the dark chocolate adds depth and a bit of bitterness to balance the sweetness. The pitted cherries bring a lovely tartness and vibrant color. Don’t forget the unsalted butter for greasing the dish, ensuring nothing sticks and everything slides out effortlessly. A touch of salt is crucial to highlight all these flavors.

Tips & Tricks

  • Use day-old brioche for better absorption and texture.
  • Ensure all bread cubes are well-coated with the custard for maximum flavor.
  • Fresh or frozen cherries work equally well, so use what you have on hand.
  • Letting it sit before baking helps the bread thoroughly soak up the custard.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a truly decadent experience. You can also drizzle a bit of chocolate sauce on top for extra indulgence. Pair it with a glass of dessert wine or a rich black tea to complement the flavors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of bread?
Yes, any soft bread will work, but brioche provides the best texture.
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Absolutely, you can assemble it and refrigerate overnight. Just bake it when you're ready.
What if I don’t have dark chocolate?
Milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips can be used as alternatives.

Decadent Chocolate Cherry Bread Pudding Recipe Walkthrough

First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures it’s hot and ready for your pudding. Generously grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter. This will prevent sticking and add a bit of flavor.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk until everything is well mixed and smooth. This is your custard base.

Add the chopped dark chocolate and pitted cherries to the custard. Stir them in, allowing the chocolate to start melting slightly in the mix.

Next, gently fold in the cubed brioche bread. You want each piece to be thoroughly soaked in the custard without breaking apart the bread. Let it sit for a few minutes to absorb.

Pour the bread mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Place it in your preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. You’re looking for a set pudding with a lightly browned top.

Once baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly. This gives it time to firm up and makes serving easier.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Rich, velvety texture that melts in your mouth.
  • Perfect balance of sweet cherries and dark chocolate.
  • Easy to prepare with straightforward steps.
  • A great way to use up leftover bread.
  • Ideal for both casual family meals and special occasions.

Ingredients

6 cups of day-old brioche bread, cubed
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
2 cups pitted cherries, halved
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, for greasing
1/4 teaspoon salt

Step-by-step Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with the unsalted butter.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, milk, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt until well combined.
3. Stir in the chopped dark chocolate and pitted cherries into the cream mixture.
4. Add the cubed brioche bread into the cream mixture and gently fold until the bread is fully coated with the liquid mixture.
5. Pour the bread mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly.
6. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-50 minutes or until the pudding is set and the top is lightly browned.
7. Remove from the oven and let it cool slightly before serving.

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