Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding: Gooey Perfection Recipe
This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is a luscious dessert featuring soft sweet bread soaked in a rich custard, studded with creamy cream cheese cubes and melted dark chocolate chunks. Baked to golden perfection, it offers a gooey, melt-in-your-mouth center complemented by a slightly crisp top, perfect for cozy gatherings or indulgent treats.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes (including soaking time)
- Yield: 8 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
- 8 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks or chips, divided
Other
- Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish
Instructions
- Prepare the bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter. Scatter the torn bread pieces evenly in the prepared dish.
- Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Soak the bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread pieces to ensure they are completely submerged and absorb the liquid. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for best results, to achieve a moist and gooey center.
- Add the fillings: After soaking, gently fold in the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks so they are evenly distributed throughout the bread mixture.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup dark chocolate chunks over the top. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly when shaken gently. Avoid overbaking to preserve the gooey center.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the pudding from the oven and allow it to cool for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. This resting time helps the gooey creamy center set perfectly. Serve warm for the best indulgent experience.
Notes
- For even better texture, soak the bread overnight in the refrigerator.
- Use brioche or challah bread for a richer and more tender pudding.
- Do not overbake to maintain a gooey center.
- Feel free to substitute dark chocolate with semi-sweet if you prefer a less intense chocolate flavor.
- This dessert is best served warm but can be reheated gently if needed.
Keywords: bread pudding, chocolate bread pudding, cream cheese dessert, baked dessert, rich custard dessert, chocolate chunks dessert
