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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Tuesdays with Dorie—Four-Star Chocolate Bread Pudding

Four-Star Chocolate Bread PuddingThis chocolate bread pudding could be renamed "Susan Boyle" pudding in honor of her amazing talent. If you haven't seen the video yet, check it out and come on back. Last I looked, 34 million plus people had viewed it, and it still gives me shivers every time I watch it.

Like Susan Boyle, this pudding is an old-fashioned dessert that "transcends its homey origins." I love the custard-y, delicately flavored middle with a tinge of crustiness on the outside in each bite. Since my favorite bread pudding is plain old vanilla, I divided my recipe in half and added the chocolate to one pan and vanilla to the other.

The pudding is baked in a water bath to avoid the custard from curdling or drying out. Next time, I want to try making this pudding with a more interesting bread, like brioche.

Recipe

Makes 12 servings

Four-Star Chocolate Bread Pudding ingredients
12 ounces bread (brioche, challah, or white), preferably stale
½ cup moist, plump raisins (dark or golden) or dried cherries (optional)
3 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
3 large eggs
4 large egg yolks
½ cup sugar
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped

You can find the recipe for Four-Star Chocolate Bread Pudding in the book Baking: From My Home to Yours by Dorie Greenspan or here. To see how the rest of the TWD group fared with this week's recipe, click here and then click on each blogger! Thanks to Lauren of Upper East Side Chronicle who chose the recipe for this week.

Four-Star Chocolate Bread Pudding without the chocolateTasting Notes
With this recipe, I got two for one: a dessert for the chocolate lovers and one for those with a more subtle palate. And both were four-star.

Links to Other Chocolate Bread Puddings
• Cheflorious: Irish Chocolate Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce
• What's For Lunch, Honey? Roasted Pumpkin and Chocolate Bread Pudding

Recipe for Next Week (April 28)
Chocolate Cream Tart on pages 352 and 353 chosen by Kim of Scrumptious Photography.

50 comments:

  1. Jin HooiApril 21, 2009 at 7:27 AM

    well done shari, your bread pudding looks great !!

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  2. AudreyApril 21, 2009 at 7:30 AM

    Susan Boyle makes me want to cheer too! (and shake my hips sassily every time someone mentions...or I think about...my similar age!) I love your presentation of brioche bread pudding in a brioche mold, and I'm glad you enjoyed this. I appreciated the crusty bits, too.

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  3. MaggieApril 21, 2009 at 7:45 AM

    Yum! Looks great!

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  4. farahApril 21, 2009 at 8:15 AM

    Both your bread puddings looks delicious! I love the pans too!

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  5. MarisApril 21, 2009 at 8:31 AM

    I love bread pudding! I've had pumpkin bread pudding and I've had chocolate chip bread pudding. Both were tasty but this one looks absolutely incredible!

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  6. ElianaApril 21, 2009 at 8:32 AM

    Bread pudding is one of those feel good desserts. I also prefer vanilla but there is a really good one for sweet almond bread pudding in the swee melissa baking book. I make it with brioche and its incredible.

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  7. JeffApril 21, 2009 at 9:18 AM

    I have never been a bread pudding fan but this one has chocolate. No way it can be hated on.

    Nicely done!

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  8. AmandaApril 21, 2009 at 9:22 AM

    I loved Susan's video too, so glad she's getting the attention she deserves :)

    I am a fan on vanilla custard bread pudding, but I really liked this one too. It was even better drizzled with chocolate sauce or cream anglaise!

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  9. MichelleApril 21, 2009 at 9:27 AM

    Oh wow...Love the baking tin! Great job!

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  10. Jules SomeoneApril 21, 2009 at 9:38 AM

    I love the pan. And a twofer? That's just a bonus.

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  11. JodieApril 21, 2009 at 9:39 AM

    I loved this recipe!!

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  12. DonApril 21, 2009 at 9:47 AM

    Oh that reminds me of a Maltese bread pudding I came across a while ago. I've been itching to try a recipe that adds chocolate to a bread pudding. Yours looked like they turned out great!

    May I ask where you purchased the fluted baking mold pictured?

    As for Susan Boyle, she's spectacular. What a wonderful voice...What character..What pause we all have to take to question pre-conceived ideas of women in the music industry...

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  13. StephApril 21, 2009 at 9:59 AM

    Baking it in a bundt pan is such a great idea!

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  14. lisaiscookingApril 21, 2009 at 10:18 AM

    I don't know why, but I never liked bread pudding until recently. Both versions look delicious! I'll start with the vanilla, please.

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  15. angela@spinachtigerApril 21, 2009 at 10:24 AM

    Shari that looks good. I like the idea of two kinds.

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  16. JacqueApril 21, 2009 at 10:35 AM

    Good idea, making a non-chocolate version. They both look fantastic!

    I agree, Susan Boyle is incredible. I'm so happy for her.

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  17. MalakApril 21, 2009 at 10:52 AM

    I like the fact that you did two versions. I am such a fan of plain old bread pudding that I would hate to risk using chocolate in it. But doing both versions -- now that's a plan!! Beautifully executed!

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  18. vibiApril 21, 2009 at 11:00 AM

    You're absolutely right, right on the button! Susan Boyle!

    Not a very pretty pudding (unless someone like you who knows how to make everything look amazing, is around) ...but oh! so surprisingly great tasty!

    Huh!? What do you know... I'm sure you'd be great at star-styling, Shari!

    (Love the old pudding moulds!)

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  19. Dishin And DishesApril 21, 2009 at 12:11 PM

    Looks so good!

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  20. UnknownApril 21, 2009 at 1:11 PM

    I love Susan Boyle too - that video is amazing. This was my first time trying bread pudding and I loved it! Yours looks wonderful. I sort of wish I'd made vanilla too - just to see if I like it.

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  21. MeganApril 21, 2009 at 1:16 PM

    I recognize that block of chocolate in the picture!

    This was just an amazing dessert - I wish I could eat it every day!

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  22. SaraApril 21, 2009 at 1:18 PM

    Ooooh, this bread pudding looks divine! I haven't made a bread pudding in forever--I need to try one again!

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  23. doughmessticApril 21, 2009 at 1:38 PM

    Great post, Shari! And thanks for the Boyle link - isn't she something?

    Love that you made two kinds - of course, YOU would!

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  24. CathyApril 21, 2009 at 3:02 PM

    Oh my word, this IS the Susan Boyle of desserts! I'm sure I've watched that clip 20 times - amazing! Your pudding looks beautiful (and I am sure that I would love the vanilla version too!)

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  25. JenniferApril 21, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    Your bread pudding looks great. I liked the chocolate, but have a feeling I would love the vanilla just as much!

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  26. MaryApril 21, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    Brilliant....the susan boyle refernce is perfect for this week...

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  27. KayteApril 21, 2009 at 4:13 PM

    Great that you liked both versions and that you made both versions so we could all have a peak! I love the little baking pans you used. Very nice.

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  28. Sippity SupApril 21, 2009 at 4:34 PM

    Ok! Lovely pudding really.

    But Susan Doyle? Really?

    Didn't Susan's "church lady" dress and all those faux tears out of the pretty blond judge strike you as a little to "pat"?

    I am not saying she is not talented, but I suspect a little directing and wardrobe professionals were involved in that whole "production"! GREG

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  29. AmyRuthApril 21, 2009 at 4:35 PM

    You'll love either the brioche or challah. Those little "bread sponges" deliver such buttery flavor. Yum ! The pan you used is perfect and thanks for the lovely link to Susan's performance. Isn't she amazing. I love it when the underdog knocks your socks off. Great job, Shari.
    AmyRuth

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  30. NicoleApril 21, 2009 at 4:58 PM

    I love the pan you used for your bread pudding! And thanks for posting the Susan Boyle video, I finally broke down and watched it. Amazing.

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  31. UnknownApril 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM

    This looks great! I love using the brioche. That is a great idea.

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  32. AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 5:38 PM

    Your bread pudding looks fantastic. I like how you compared it to susan boyle. I still don't know who she is, but I do get the pop culture reference.

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  33. Engineer BakerApril 21, 2009 at 7:20 PM

    Right on - I'm there with you on the analogy. I loved this bread pudding, and I'm beginning to wonder if I just avoided it for all that time out of prejudice against its looks.

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  34. AnonymousApril 21, 2009 at 7:30 PM

    Your comparison with Susan Boyle is great! On the surface, she doesn't look the part, but there's a real gift that deserves to shine. Humble origins. World class.

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  35. YApril 21, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    Susan Boyle is being compared to anything and everything these days :)

    Your bread pudding looks great - I love that rich colour it's got.

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  36. Carol Peterman/TableFareApril 21, 2009 at 8:50 PM

    The fluted pans make the bread puddings look so festive. I am glad both were winners.

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  37. ChristelleApril 21, 2009 at 9:09 PM

    Wow this Bread and butter pudding is absolutely obscine!! (shuffles to the kitchen to prepare it straight away)

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  38. ElyseApril 21, 2009 at 10:19 PM

    Mmm, your bread pudding looks totally awesome, Shari! I love that you did the ole vanilla and chocolate combo! I wish I could have some right this instant!

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  39. Soy*BabyApril 21, 2009 at 10:39 PM

    I love the pan you used. Your pictures look great.

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  40. KatrinaApril 21, 2009 at 10:50 PM

    Love your likening this to Susan Boyle. Your photos are great. I'm a bread pudding convert.

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  41. Welcome to our crazy blessed lifeApril 21, 2009 at 11:28 PM

    Great idea to split the flavors! Both look like they turned out really yummy!

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  42. Mary AnnApril 22, 2009 at 12:46 AM

    I love your cute little pans that you baked this in. It looks delicious.
    I love the Susan Boyle clip too.

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  43. Monica HApril 22, 2009 at 1:05 AM

    Ooh, it's pretty and I really like the last picture. I'm not a fan of bread pudding, but this tempts me :-)

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  44. graceApril 22, 2009 at 7:05 AM

    i love your comparison to miz boyle, and i can't seem to tear my eyes away from your gorgeous pudding. toss in an extra star for appearance. :)

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  45. AnneApril 22, 2009 at 10:19 AM

    Wow Shari those look amazing and I love the pans you used! I loved watching that video, too- her talent is amazing!

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  46. The Food LibrarianApril 22, 2009 at 4:29 PM

    Fantastic! Love it (and Susan Boyle)!

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  47. LeslieApril 22, 2009 at 6:27 PM

    Oohh...chocolate and vanilla bread puddings, and they both look so yummy! How to decide? Both please!

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  48. katieApril 23, 2009 at 9:52 PM

    Hello!

    I found your blog thru marc (norecipes). I love bread pudding and am complete favor of the brioche because butter is delicious.

    I definitely listened to susan boyle way too many times and slowed down my office server.

    Anyhow looks like I want to eat.

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  49. TeaLadyApril 23, 2009 at 11:30 PM

    Love the brioche pan u used. The pudding looks really, really good. ANd Susan was wonderful wasn't she.

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  50. AliciaApril 24, 2009 at 12:30 PM

    that looks so good! My mom loves bread pudding, but i don't think i've ever had it, perhaps i'll have to make it for both of us soon!

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Thank you for visiting! I appreciate all your comments and love reading each and every one of them. I will answer your questions as best I can as soon as possible. I wish I could respond to everybody individually but my schedule just doesn't permit it right now. I will, however, do my best to visit your blog. Your comments are a big motivator to keep blogging so thanks for dropping by! {Please note that I don't allow Anonymous commenting due to spammers. As well, I won't publish a comment if it contains a link that doesn't go to a valid food blog, again due to spammers.}

Shari