Irresistible Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Recipe

Rustic Pioneer Woman Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Recipe Magic

Pioneer Woman’s chocolate chip bread pudding unleashes a symphony of flavors that dance across your palate with delightful abandon.

This dessert defies ordinary culinary expectations, transforming simple pantry staples into a luxurious experience.

Custardy textures embrace rich chocolate morsels, weaving a tapestry of comfort and indulgence.

Soft bread soaks up velvety custard, creating layers of decadent sophistication that elevate home baking.

Each spoonful tells a story of warmth, nostalgia, and pure culinary magic.

Ingenious techniques blend classic ingredients into a dessert that speaks directly to your soul.

Prepare to be swept away by a confection that promises pure, unapologetic deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 25 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 8

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Ingredient Notes

For Bread Base:
  • Day-Old Bread: Choose slightly stale bread for better absorption and richer texture.
  • White Bread: Select soft, neutral-flavored bread that soaks up custard beautifully.
For Custard Mixture:
  • Large Eggs, Whole Milk: Select fresh, room-temperature eggs and creamy whole milk for smooth consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Pick fine, pure sugar that dissolves easily and creates silky sweetness.
  • Vanilla Extract: Opt for pure vanilla for deep, authentic flavor.
  • Cocoa Powder: Choose high-quality, dark cocoa for rich chocolate depth.
  • Ground Cinnamon: Select fresh, fragrant cinnamon for warm, aromatic notes.
  • Salt: Use fine sea salt to enhance overall flavor profile.
For Chocolate and Garnish:
  • Chocolate Chips: Select semi-sweet chips that melt smoothly and create delightful chocolate pockets.
  • Butter: Use fresh, unsalted butter for greasing and added richness.

Equipment Needed for Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

  • Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy bowl for whisking custard ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Essential tool for blending eggs, milk, and spices without lumps.
  • Measuring Cups: Precise cups for accurately measuring milk, sugar, and other ingredients.
  • Measuring Spoons: Small spoons for exact vanilla and spice measurements.
  • Cutting Board: Flat surface for slicing bread into neat cubes.
  • Sharp Knife: Helps create uniform 1-inch bread cubes quickly.
  • Round Pie Plate: Deep dish for baking and serving the chocolate bread pudding.
  • Oven: Preheated to 350°F for perfect baking temperature.
  • Butter Knife or Pastry Brush: For greasing the pie plate with butter.

Steps to Assemble Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

Steps to Assemble Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding
  • Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish

Warm the oven to 350°F. Generously butter a deep round pie plate, creating a slick surface that prevents sticking.

  • Transform Bread into Delectable Cubes

Slice day-old bread into bite-sized chunks. Spread these pieces across the buttered dish, forming a cozy foundation for the upcoming dessert.

  • Whip Up Luxurious Custard Base

Combine eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cocoa, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk until the mixture becomes silky smooth and fully integrated, ensuring no lumps remain.

  • Infuse Chocolate Delight

Gently fold chocolate chips throughout the custard, creating pockets of melty goodness that will surprise and delight with each spoonful.

  • Soak and Merge Flavors

Pour the chocolate-laden custard over bread cubes. Give a gentle stir, allowing each bread piece to become saturated with the rich, creamy mixture. Let it rest briefly to absorb all the incredible flavors.

  • Bake into Sweet Submission

Slide the dish into the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the pudding sets with a slight jiggle and develops a golden-brown top that promises crispy edges and a luscious center.

Tips to Prevent Overbaking Bread Pudding

  • Customize Your Chocolate Bread Pudding Adventure

Replace day-old white bread with challah, brioche, or cinnamon raisin bread for unique flavor profiles and richer textures.

Mix different chocolate varieties like dark, milk, and white chocolate chips to create a complex and layered chocolate experience.

Sprinkle chopped pecans, almonds, or walnuts on top before baking to introduce delightful crispness and extra depth to your dessert.

Drizzle warm caramel sauce, dust with powdered sugar, or serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a luxurious finishing touch that elevates the entire dessert.

Serving Ideas for Warm Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

  • Serve Warm with Sweet Companions: Top each serving with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream or freshly whipped cream for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast.
  • Drizzle Decadent Chocolate Sauce: Enhance the dessert by pouring rich, warm chocolate sauce over the pudding, creating an extra layer of indulgent sweetness.
  • Sprinkle Crunchy Texture Boosters: Add a delightful crunch by scattering toasted chopped nuts like almonds or pecans on top, providing a nutty complement to the soft pudding.
  • Enjoy with Breakfast Companions: Pair this dessert with a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate for a luxurious morning or afternoon treat that feels like a special occasion.

Bread Pudding Storage and Reheat Tips

  • Store with Care: Transfer any leftover chocolate bread pudding to an airtight container, ensuring a tight seal to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
  • Refrigerate Promptly: Stash the pudding in the refrigerator within two hours of baking. Properly stored, it will keep for 3-4 days, ready to satisfy your sweet cravings.
  • Reheat with Gentleness: Warm individual servings in the microwave for 20-30 seconds, or restore the entire dish in a 325°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Add a splash of milk to refresh its creamy texture.
  • Freeze for Future Enjoyment: Wrap the cooled pudding tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen pudding maintains its deliciousness for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Irresistible Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Recipe

Irresistible Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 13 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 8 1x

Description

Chocolate chip bread pudding invites comfort from Southern kitchens with rich custard-soaked bread. Sweet dessert layers create warm memories that linger after each delicious spoonful you savor.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (590 ml) stale bread, cut into cubes
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups (480 ml) milk
  • ¾ cup (130 g) chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsps (10 g) cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 pinch salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat Setup: Warm the oven to 350°F and generously butter a round deep-dish pie plate, ensuring complete surface coverage.
  2. Bread Foundation: Distribute day-old bread cubes evenly across the greased pie plate, creating a uniform base layer.
  3. Custard Preparation: Whisk eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl until the mixture transforms into a smooth, integrated liquid with a rich, velvety texture.
  4. Chocolate Integration: Fold semi-sweet chocolate chips into the custard, ensuring an even distribution of chocolatey morsels throughout the mixture.
  5. Soaking Process: Pour the custard over bread cubes, gently stirring to guarantee complete moisture absorption, allowing each bread fragment to become saturated with the decadent liquid.
  6. Resting Stage: Let the pudding rest for 15 minutes, enabling the bread to thoroughly soak up the flavorful custard and develop a luxurious, moist consistency.
  7. Baking Finale: Place the pie plate in the preheated oven and bake for 35-45 minutes, watching for a perfectly set pudding with a subtle center jiggle and a tender, moist interior.

Notes

  • Bread Selection Matters: Use day-old, slightly stale bread for optimal absorption and texture, preventing a soggy or overly wet pudding.
  • Chocolate Chip Distribution: Fold chocolate chips gently to prevent sinking, ensuring even sweet morsels throughout each serving.
  • Resting Time is Crucial: Let the pudding sit for 15 minutes before baking to allow bread cubes to fully soak up the rich custard mixture.
  • Baking Doneness Tip: Watch for a slight center wobble and moist texture, which indicates perfect pudding consistency without overcooking.
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 8
  • Calories: 400
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 55 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg
Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine

Education

Southwestern Oregon Community College

  • Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
  • Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.

Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care. 

After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.

Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star