Milk Chocolate Bread Pudding

When I purchased the beautiful cookbook Alpine Cooking, and subsequently published a post on fabulous liptauer, I wrote in that post that I wish I was a skier. But to clarify, I don’t want to actually ski, just wear the cute snow suits and giant fur boots, and partake in apres ski! Think – a ski chalet ambiance, snow-covered mountains, raclette, patés and terrines, good bread, wine and hot buttered rum…

So when I spotted and purchased the book the Ski House Cookbook, “warm winter dishes for cold weather fun,” I was excited. And hopeful. Unfortunately the book was thoroughly disappointing, unlike Alpine Cooking, shown below right.

The book was written by Tina Anderson and Sarah Pinneo, and published in 2007. I only marked 4 recipes in the cookbook, and that was me just trying not to face the fact that I wasted money.

There are pancakes, granola, sandwiches, snacks, pasta dishes that we’ve all made before. Really just this dessert recipe stood out to me, even though I don’t really like bread puddings, don’t eat desserts typically, and don’t enjoy milk chocolate.

A few years ago when I needed brioche for my raisin bread stuffing, I purchased a brioche mix from King Arthur Flour. It was really good, and easy to make. After trimming the loaf weighed 1 1/2 pounds. This is what I made again for this bread pudding recipe.

Milk Chocolate Bread Pudding
Printable recipe below

2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pound milk chocolate, chopped, about 4 cups
4 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
1/3 cup sugar
3 tablespoons hazelnut liqueur, such as Frangelico
Unsalted butter
1 loaf brioche or Pullman bread, cut into 1” cubes, about 12 cups

Combine the milk, cream, and vanilla in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a simmer and then turn off the heat. Add the chocolate, let stand for 3 minutes, and then whisk until smooth.

In a large bowl, whisk the whole eggs, egg yolks, sugar, and hazelnut liqueur to combine. Very gradually add the hot cream mixture, whisking constantly.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Butter a 9 x 13” baking dish.

Add the bread to the chocolate mixture and toss to coat completely.

Pour the mixture into the prepared dish and allow to stand for 20 minutes.

Bake until set and browning on top, about 45 minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature.

Store covered and refrigerated for up to 3 days.

This actually turned out much better than I expected! The chocolate flavor is great and the cake is creamy and moist. But I did enjoy it more with some whipped cream!

And I’m still bummed out about the book.

 

 

About the Author: Chef Mimi

As a self-taught home cook, with many years in the culinary profession, I am passionate about all things food-related. Especially eating!

49 Comments

  1. Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen March 22, 2023 at 6:45 AM - Reply

    Well, for someone who doesn’t like bread pudding, desserts, or milk chocolate, you certainly did the recipe proud Mimi! There’s not a lot of other sugar in the recipe, so that probably made the milk chocolate palatable. Brilliant to add the whipped cream.

    • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 7:58 AM - Reply

      Whipped cream is always an easy add for me! Especially when it’s made from scratch.

      • Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen March 22, 2023 at 11:00 AM

        I’m with you that I rarely eat desserts (although I like making them), but I do love whipped cream, especially if it is sweetened only with vanilla and maybe the tiniest touch of sugar.

      • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 3:19 PM

        That’s exactly how mu mother taught me to make cream! Isn’t it called chantilly?

      • Dorothy's New Vintage Kitchen March 22, 2023 at 6:15 PM

        Yes it is, and if it was just me, the vanilla would be enough.
        We had very smart moms!

      • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:14 AM

        I agree.

  2. cookingwithauntjuju.com March 22, 2023 at 7:44 AM - Reply

    Never made a bread pudding but want to try a New Orleans version where they use Krispy Kreme donuts! Chocolate anything with whipped cream – delicious :)

    • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 8:11 AM - Reply

      Oh my god. I’d need to have a defibrillator nearby!!! I’ve only made savory bread puddings before. This was a nice surprise.

  3. Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 7:57 AM - Reply

    And it was so so good. I was genuinely surprised!

  4. Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 7:58 AM - Reply

    It’s a nice, rustic dessert. I could see it as a brunch addition, too!

  5. David Scott Allen March 22, 2023 at 11:35 AM - Reply

    So sorry that the book was so disappointing. I hate it when that happens (books like this, make for a great Christmas regifting!). How do people get books like that published? While I am not a fan of bread pudding either, this does look really quite good and perhaps worth trying. Although I don’t think there’s a cute ski outfit out there for me, I do like your idea of the après-ski being the most important part of the experience.

    • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 3:19 PM - Reply

      Good question. Any editor would have recognized the lack of creativity and passion in this book. And, by the way, my snow suit days are over – it’s all a dream!

      • David Scott Allen March 22, 2023 at 7:16 PM

        I don’t know… I bet you could still carry it off.

      • David Scott Allen March 22, 2023 at 7:16 PM

        Egad — pull it off! (Carry? Sheesh…)

      • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:14 AM

        And you also think I’m tall, correct? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

  6. Mary March 22, 2023 at 1:51 PM - Reply

    It’s a bummer when you buy a duff recipe book. In the early days of buying recipe books, I would read it in the shop, memorise a recipe, go home and make it and if it was enjoyed, go back and memorise another………. until I deemed it worth buying. With the array of books I now own(!!!) I don’t bother with more new ones. I borrow them from the library!! 😂
    Anyway, I don’t like the thought of soaked bread as a pudding and probably to my loss have never eaten one, even though my Mum made them often in my childhood I just couldn’t get it past my nose. Hated the smell of it. Maybe if she had added chocolate I might have had a little taste!!

    • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 3:17 PM - Reply

      Well that is hysterical! I would forget what I read by the time I left the book shop! I still love collecting cookbooks, and I rarely get a dud. I really expected more from this one.

  7. Cynthia | What A Girl Eats March 22, 2023 at 3:55 PM - Reply

    lol funny about the ski wear! I started skiing when I was 5, and loved the cute ski gear! Bread pudding sounds wonderful!

    • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 5:55 PM - Reply

      And ski wear has definitely improved over the years!!! One day I might still get those giant fur boots. It doesn’t really snow where I live, but I can sit by the fire…

  8. Debra March 22, 2023 at 5:31 PM - Reply

    As soon as I saw the recipe name I started laughing out loud, Mimi. Heaven!! I think if I were pressed to identify a “favorite” dessert, I’d say bread pudding. I adore it. Add chocolate, and I am going to swoon. I don’t know how soon I can justify making such a decadent recipe, but you can be sure I won’t forget this. This is absolutely perfect for my tastes!

    • Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 5:53 PM - Reply

      Oh, wonderful!!! I knew somebody would love this! And honestly, it was really good! I am re-thinking milk chocolate.

  9. Chef Mimi March 22, 2023 at 5:54 PM - Reply

    Thanks! Where have you been?!

    • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:12 AM - Reply

      Oh no!

  10. Sherry M March 22, 2023 at 7:59 PM - Reply

    that’s a shame about the book Mimi. I try to only buy cookbooks that have at least several recipes I like and plan to make but who knows? Sometimes they just don’t appeal. I remember mum making bread and butter pudding often as dessert as it was a cheap way to feed a big family.

    • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:13 AM - Reply

      I have a bread and butter pudding on the blog that I made from a recipe I got at a B & B in Dingle, Ireland. They served it as part of breakfast. It was good, but so heavy. Definitely good for economy sake!

  11. Roz March 22, 2023 at 9:32 PM - Reply

    Since I simply cannot resist any delicious chocolate dish, I fear that I would eat the entire pudding and show terrible manners of not sharing with anyone. I will add this to my non-weight-loss recipes, Mimi . . . for when I lose 50 pounds!
    Happy Spring,
    Roz

    • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:12 AM - Reply

      I completely understand!!!

  12. David @ Spiced March 23, 2023 at 6:56 AM - Reply

    Ugh – so annoying about that book! The title sounds good, and the front photo is perfect…but pancakes, granola, sandwiches, snacks and pasta are NOT what I think about when I think ski chalet recipes. I’ve only tackled bread pudding a couple of times in my life. Laura is not a huge fan of eggy dishes, and I prefer not to have to eat the entire thing by myself. Haha! This one does sound tasty though. Way to salvage something out of that book!

    • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:11 AM - Reply

      Yes. And thankfully it was good. I’ve only made savory bread puddings, which I prefer. It’s just a lot of bread!

  13. popsiclesociety March 23, 2023 at 7:18 AM - Reply

    It looks absolutely delicious 😋 I would love to start my day with a piece 😋😉

    • Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 8:10 AM - Reply

      I think it would be good as a brunch item!

  14. Chef Mimi March 23, 2023 at 5:57 PM - Reply

    I’d certainly prefer to have a few more than I love, but oh well… C’est la vie!

  15. Chef Mimi March 24, 2023 at 3:23 PM - Reply

    I’m glad you can relate! I was 14 when I moved to the ski country in Utah. I tried to ski. It was awful. The only thing that kept me going at first was the ski instructor who looked just like Robert Redford!

  16. Chef Mimi March 24, 2023 at 3:24 PM - Reply

    I agree with brioche. And although it’s not that hard to make, this mix turns out a really good bread!

  17. neil@neilshealthymeals.com March 25, 2023 at 3:02 AM - Reply

    Haven’t made a good bread pudding in a long time. Our favourite is a chocolate chip and vanilla one we do, so we would definitely love this one too!

    • Chef Mimi March 25, 2023 at 7:57 AM - Reply

      Oh! Well then you’re sure to like this one most definitely!!!

  18. Ciao Chow Linda March 25, 2023 at 8:41 AM - Reply

    I’m not one for milk chocolate either, but why couldn’t you substitute dark chocolate? I was a skiier in my last life, and skied mostly in Italy, but skied at Zermatt one year, the site of the Mattterhorn shown on that book cover. I love all the Alpine food.

    • Chef Mimi March 27, 2023 at 8:47 AM - Reply

      You probably had the apres ski outfits, too?!! Lovely. I think you could definitely use any chocolate you want, but I wanted to respect the recipe, which mostly works, and it turned out very good.

  19. Tandy | Lavender and Lime March 27, 2023 at 4:02 AM - Reply

    Its annoying when you pay for a book that has so few, if any recipes, worth making. Even worse is if the one you do try is a flop and therefore a waste of ingredients. I am like you, all about the apres ski, and not the actual physical side of the snow :)

    • Chef Mimi March 27, 2023 at 8:44 AM - Reply

      I did try to ski, when I was 14. I was just too old. And I remember toddlers zipping around me as I attempted to snow plow. Ugh. Yes, I’m disappointed in the book.

  20. Healthy World Cuisine March 27, 2023 at 9:44 AM - Reply

    Mimi, your milk chocolate bread pudding looks so cozy and delicious. Especially during these change of seasons love warming desserts.

    • Chef Mimi March 27, 2023 at 4:31 PM - Reply

      This turned out so much better than I thought. It was a pleasant, delicious surprise!

  21. Chef Mimi March 30, 2023 at 8:48 AM - Reply

    Well I have to say I did try, but when you’re 14 and toddlers are skiing through your legs, it’s quite embarrassing and intimidating!

  22. Pauline March 30, 2023 at 10:39 PM - Reply

    This is a perfect recipe for Easter Mimi, where everything food wise is about chocolate. Bread and butter puddings are so versatile and have really come of age. Would love to have some over Easter.

    • Chef Mimi March 31, 2023 at 8:08 AM - Reply

      It’s not terribly pretty, but it is delicious! Easter would be a good reason for making this. Even at brunch!

  23. Raymund March 31, 2023 at 4:13 AM - Reply

    It’s a shame to hear that it was a disappointment, but it sounds like you still found a recipe worth trying with the Milk Chocolate Bread Pudding. It goes to show that sometimes we can find unexpected gems even in disappointing cookbooks.

    • Chef Mimi March 31, 2023 at 8:05 AM - Reply

      You are so right. Unfortunately no other recipe intrigues me. But, I’ll keep buying cookbooks!

  24. Max Well September 5, 2023 at 12:47 AM - Reply

    This recipe is ideal for Easter, Mimi, when everything food-related revolves on chocolate.
    https://www.intellectfolks.com/celebrate-teacher-appreciation-week-2023/

    • Chef Mimi September 5, 2023 at 8:43 AM - Reply

      You’re so right!

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