Description

This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding combines the rich flavors of brioche, cream cheese, and dark chocolate into a gooey, luscious dessert that is perfect for any occasion. Soaked in a creamy custard and baked until golden, this bread pudding offers a perfect balance of creamy, sweet, and chocolaty goodness with an irresistibly soft center.

Ingredients

Scale

Bread and Filling

1 loaf (about 1 pound) sweet bread (like brioche or challah), torn into 1-inch pieces
8 ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chunks or chips, divided
Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish

Custard

4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Prepare the bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter. Scatter the torn bread pieces evenly in the prepared dish to create an even layer that will absorb the custard perfectly.
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 smooth and well combined, forming a rich custard base.
Soak the bread: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to ensure it is fully submerged and absorbs the custard. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or for best results, cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight. This soaking step is crucial for achieving 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 evenly into the bread mixture.
Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks on top. Bake the pudding for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly when shaken gently—avoid overbaking to maintain gooeyness.
Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and allow the pudding to cool for 15-20 minutes. This resting helps the center fully set while retaining its creamy texture. Serve warm for the best experience.

Notes

Ensure adequate soaking time (minimum 30 minutes to overnight) for a moist, gooey interior.
Do not overbake; the pudding will continue to set as it cools, preserving the perfect gooey texture.
Using brioche or challah will provide the best texture and flavor due to their sweetness and richness.
Chilling the cream cheese before adding helps maintain distinct pockets of creaminess within the pudding.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate bread pudding, cream cheese dessert, baked custard, gooey bread pudding, chocolate chip pudding, brioche dessert