The latest in my kitchen: bread pudding.
Hilari and I didnโt get a chance to test bread pudding in our recipe test week, so I slowly tackled it over the past couple weeks.ย I studied a couple traditional bread pudding recipes, made 3 or 4 batches, and concluded that I, in fact, do not like bread pudding. Perhaps it was the recipes I tried, but it just tasted like eggy bread chunks with a couple raisins tossed in.
This wasnโt a shock to me as Iโve never really been a fan of bread pudding.
Iโm working to expand my baking repertoire this year, so I asked youย your thoughts on this dessert. Many of you love it!! Soย I decided to give it one more shot, but with the addition of chocolate. Maybe that will be tastier? I took a look at 2 chocolate bread pudding recipes: King Arthur Flour and Food & Wine. I used cocoa powder, heavy cream, and eggs. I made sure the bread was super stale. I threw in some chocolate chips, topped with raspberries and caramel and whipped cream. The first batch was good. But I knew I could make it better.
I whisked in fewer eggs, added some whole milk, and ditched the cocoa powder in favor of real chocolate. Now weโre talking.
The result was a pan of warm brownies masquerading as chocolate bread pudding. It was rich. It was decadent. It was worth every single calorie. Since itโs not a dessert I bake often,ย I was extra curious to hear how others liked it. I took it to my in-laws so I could get a little feedback. They loved it! My sister-in-law appreciated that it wasnโt overly sweet since itโs such a rich chocolate dessert. My SILโs boyfriend said it reminded him of chocolate monkey bread. (Yum!!) Most of us dove in for seconds. I did, however, think it was better fresh as opposed to reheated.
Iโm sharing the recipe on Monday including all my recipe notes and suggestions.
TWO QUESTIONS
- Thoughts on ricotta cookies? Iโm sharing a recipe soon!
- Thinking ahead here, but any specific baking/dessert recipes you want to see for St. Patrickโs Day? Hereโs my Irish Soda Bread recipe. Itโs actually my Grandmaโs. I make it a few times each year. So simple!
Reader Comments and Reviews
I love seeing your recipe process!! These posts are so fun to read! I canโt wait to check out this recipe. I am SO excited to see ricotta cookies! I love ricotta desserts!!
As far as St. Patrickโs: Guinness Brownies with Baileys Buttercream. PLEASE!! Iโve been trying to wing it with that recipe for a few years and they always turn out pretty good, but I bet your version would be out of this world!! I would also like to see an Irish apple cake ๐ But Guinness Brownies!! Baileyโs buttercream!! Its meant to be!!
I love bread pudding, especially chocolate bread pudding, so I look forward to your recipe! Also, I am a huge fan of ricotta cookies. The first time I made them was to use up leftover ricotta I had in my fridge, but I liked them so much they were my go-to potluck recipe, along with a lemon glaze, for quite a while!
This bread pudding sounds amazing and I canโt wait to give it a try. Can I say that I love your kitchenโฆand itโs lovely to see it in the midst of your creativity, as it looks messy and fun! โฆand your egg carton even has the good grace to match your beautiful kitchen accents ๐ย
Iโve not tried ricotta cookies, but they sound intriguing!
Hi Sally,
I absolutely love bread pudding. I went out with some friends to my favorite restaurant last week and had banana bread pudding with warm caramel sauce and toasted pecans and it was amazing! Iโm excited about your chocolate bread pudding recipe. Yes to the ricotta cookies! I have a girlfriend who makes them for the holidays and theyโre delicious. As for St. Patrickโs Day desserts, Iโm with the reader who mentioned Guinness cake.
Iโd love a recipe for lemon ricotta cookies, I like the artificially flavored ones from the store, but Iโm sure homemade ones would be even better!
Ooooooooooh the bread pudding sounds FABULOUS! Now I canโt wait until Monday ๐ Iโm not a huge fan of ricotta but my family loves it. When I make lasagna, I make 2 pans and the kids have fondly named them With and Without!
Since Iโm 100% Irish, Iโd love to see some traditional potato recipes (champ, boxty, colcannon). Or maybe an Irish Apple cake? Or of course anything with Irish whiskey, Baileyโs or Guinness ๐
Iโm sure youโll come up with the perfect recipe to celebrate St. Patrickโs Day.
I am excited to try your bread pudding recipe! Sounds like it might be perfect for Valentineโs Day!