Indulging in a warm, gooey dessert can turn any ordinary day into a holiday. Today, I’m excited to share my recipe for Gooey Chocolate Cream Cheese Bread Pudding Delight. This rich dish marries the sweet creaminess of chocolate and cream cheese with hearty bread, making it a must-try treat. Ready to impress your taste buds and delight your friends? Let’s dive into the ingredients and steps that turn this simple pudding into a showstopper!
Why I Love This Recipe
- Comforting Dessert: This bread pudding is the ultimate comfort food, combining rich chocolate and creamy cheese for a warm and satisfying treat.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe is perfect for both beginner and seasoned bakers.
- Perfect for Leftovers: Using stale bread helps reduce waste and transforms it into a delicious dessert that everyone will love.
- Customizable: Feel free to add nuts, fruits, or different types of chocolate to make this recipe your own!
Ingredients
List of Required Ingredients
- 6 cups of stale bread (French or brioche), torn into pieces
- 1 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- Powdered sugar (for dusting, optional)
- Whipped cream (for serving, optional)
This recipe needs simple yet key ingredients. Stale bread works best. It soaks up the creamy mix and adds great texture. Use French or brioche bread for a rich taste.
Cream cheese adds a smooth and rich flavor. It blends with eggs and milk to create a custard-like base. The semi-sweet chocolate chips bring a delightful sweetness. They melt into the pudding, making it gooey and delicious.
You also need large eggs for binding. Whole milk brings richness and creaminess. Granulated sugar adds sweetness. A little vanilla extract brings warmth. Salt and cinnamon enhance all the flavors.
Optional toppings like powdered sugar and whipped cream make each serving special. They add a nice touch and extra flavor. With these ingredients, you will create a delightful dessert that’s sure to please everyone.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparation Steps
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
2. Tear 6 cups of stale bread into pieces. Place these pieces evenly across the bottom of the greased baking dish. French or brioche bread works best for this recipe.
3. In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened cream cheese until smooth. Add 4 large eggs, 2 cups of whole milk, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon. Whisk everything together until it is fully combined and smooth.
Combining and Baking
1. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the bread pieces. Ensure that all the bread is soaked. Use a spatula to gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the liquid.
2. Sprinkle 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips evenly over the top of the bread mixture.
3. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 45-50 minutes. The pudding should be set, and the top should look golden-brown and slightly crisp.
4. After baking, remove the dish from the oven. Let it cool for about 10-15 minutes. This cooling time helps the pudding set further.
5. Serve the pudding warm. You can dust it with powdered sugar and top it with whipped cream if you like.
Tips & Tricks
Achieving a Gooey Texture
To get that perfect gooey texture, start with stale bread. Fresh bread holds too much moisture. Stale bread soaks up the cream cheese mixture without turning mushy. Aim for bread that's a day or two old.
Next, mix your ingredients until smooth. After beating the cream cheese, add eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk until you have a nice, even mixture. This will ensure all the bread soaks well.
Baking Recommendations
Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). This temperature is key for even baking. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Keep an eye on it. Look for a golden-brown top that’s slightly crisp.
Avoid over-baking! If you bake it too long, the pudding will dry out. You want it to be set but still gooey in the middle.
Serving Suggestions
For a fun presentation, serve individual portions in ramekins. This adds a nice touch. You can also drizzle chocolate sauce over the top for extra flavor.
Don’t forget toppings! A dusting of powdered sugar makes it look fancy. Whipped cream adds a rich creaminess. These simple additions make your dessert even more enjoyable.
Pro Tips
- Use Day-Old Bread: Stale bread absorbs the custard mixture better than fresh bread, resulting in a gooey texture that's essential for this dish.
- Mix Ingredients Thoroughly: Ensure the cream cheese is completely smooth before adding other ingredients to avoid lumps in the final pudding.
- Let it Rest: Allow the bread pudding to rest for 10-15 minutes after baking. This helps it set and makes serving easier.
- Experiment with Toppings: Besides powdered sugar and whipped cream, try adding fresh berries or a scoop of ice cream for an extra special treat.
Variations
Ingredient Substitutions
You can change the bread type in this recipe. Try using challah or sourdough for a different taste. Each bread adds its unique flavor to the dish. For a gluten-free option, look for gluten-free bread.
If you want a dairy-free version, use a dairy-free cream cheese. You can also replace whole milk with almond or oat milk. For sweetener alternatives, try using coconut sugar or agave syrup. These swaps keep the dish tasty while fitting your diet.
Flavor Enhancements
Want to make this pudding even better? You can add fruits like bananas or berries. These fruits bring freshness and a pop of color. Nuts like walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch, too. They also give extra flavor and texture to the dish.
You can also try using different types of chocolate. Milk chocolate gives a sweeter taste, while dark chocolate brings a rich flavor. White chocolate adds a creamy touch, making the dish unique. Mix and match to find your favorite combo!
Serving Variations
For a fun twist, serve this pudding in individual ramekins. This makes a great presentation for guests. You can also make mini versions in small cups for a party.
Topping it with sauces or syrups can enhance the flavor. Chocolate sauce or caramel sauce are great choices. You can drizzle these over the warm pudding for a delightful treat. Enjoy exploring these variations!
Storage Info
Leftover Storage Tips
Store any leftover Gooey Chocolate Cream Cheese Bread Pudding in an airtight container. Keep it in the refrigerator for up to four days. Make sure it cools down before sealing it. This helps keep the texture nice.
If you want to freeze it, cut the pudding into portions. Wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer-safe bag. This way, it can last for up to three months. Remember to label your bag with the date for easy tracking.
Reheating Instructions
To reheat the pudding, the best method is using an oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the pudding in an oven-safe dish and cover it with foil. Heat it for about 15-20 minutes. This helps keep the texture soft and gooey.
If you want to use a microwave, do so with care. Heat on medium power for 30 seconds at a time. Check the gooeyness after each interval. You want it warm but not too hot. Enjoy your delicious dessert!
FAQs
Common Questions about Gooey Chocolate Cream Cheese Bread Pudding
Can I use fresh bread instead of stale? No, fresh bread doesn’t soak up the mix well. Stale bread gives a better texture. It helps the bread absorb the cream cheese mixture and stay gooey after baking.
How long can the pudding be left out at room temperature? I suggest not leaving it out for more than two hours. After that, bacteria can grow. Always cover it if you plan to keep it longer, and store it in the fridge.
Can this recipe be made ahead of time? Yes, you can prepare it the night before. Just cover the dish and put it in the fridge. Bake it in the morning for a warm, gooey treat!
In this article, we explored how to make gooey chocolate cream cheese bread pudding. We started with the essential ingredients and followed clear steps for preparation. You learned tips for achieving the perfect texture and explored variations for more fun flavors. Don't forget to use stale bread for the best results. I hope these ideas help you create a delicious dessert. Remember, baking is about experimenting, so feel free to adjust the recipe to your taste. Enjoy your sweet creation!
