Description

This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is a rich and indulgent dessert combining soft, soaked sweet bread with creamy chunks of cream cheese and generous amounts of dark chocolate. Baked to golden perfection with a gooey center, it’s a perfect treat for chocolate lovers seeking a comforting yet elegant dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

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

Others

Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

Prepare the bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter. Scatter the torn bread pieces evenly in the prepared dish, ensuring an even layer.
Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the large eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread pieces so that they fully absorb the liquid. Allow to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight to achieve a moist and gooey interior.
Add the fillings: After soaking, gently fold in the chilled cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks, distributing them evenly throughout the bread mixture.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks evenly over the top of the bread pudding. Bake uncovered for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken. Avoid overbaking to ensure the gooey center; the pudding will continue to set as it cools.
Cool and Serve: Remove the pudding from the oven and let it cool in the dish for at least 15-20 minutes. This resting time allows the creamy center to settle for the perfect gooey texture. Serve warm for the best flavor and consistency.

Notes

For the best gooey center, ensure the bread soaks adequately (minimum 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours or overnight).
Do not overbake; the pudding should be slightly jiggly in the center when removed from the oven.
The pudding continues to set as it cools, so allow it to rest before serving.
Use a good quality dark chocolate for rich flavor and texture contrast.
Butter the baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking and add flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 45-55 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate bread pudding, cream cheese dessert, baked bread pudding, rich chocolate dessert, gooey bread pudding