Food & Cooking Recipes Chocolate Bread Pudding By Martha Stewart Editors Martha Stewart Editors Facebook Instagram Twitter Website An article attributed to "Martha Stewart Editors" indicates when several writers and editors have contributed to an article over the years. These collaborations allow us to provide you with the most accurate, up-to-date, and comprehensive information available.The Martha Stewart team aims to teach and inspire readers daily with tested-until-perfected recipes, creative DIY projects, and elevated home and entertaining ideas. They are experts in their fields who research, create, and test the best ways to help readers design the life they want. The joy is in the doing. Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 17, 2021 Print Share Share Tweet Pin Email Servings: 10 Every bite of this bread pudding is saturated with bittersweet chocolate. To make it, slices of buttery brioche are arranged in a gratin dish, soaked through with chocolate custard, and baked in the oven until the bread and chocolate are set. You could use any type of white bread for this pudding, but brioche's light, airy texture absorbs the custard particularly well in this tasty dessert. Ingredients 2 cups heavy cream 2 cups milk 1 whole vanilla bean, split in half lengthwise, seeds scraped 3 cinnamon sticks (optional) 1 loaf brioche (about 1 pound) 8 large egg yolks ¾ cup sugar 12 ounces Valrhona or other bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped, plus ½ ounce or ¼ cup shavings for garnish 1 container (8 ounces) creme fraiche Directions Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the cream, milk, vanilla seeds and pod, and cinnamon sticks, if using, in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat, cover with plastic wrap, and let sit for 30 minutes to infuse flavors. Cut the brioche into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Cut slices into quarters, setting aside the rounded top pieces. Fill a 9-by-12-inch gratin dish or a deep oval roasting dish with the quartered pieces. Return the milk mixture to a boil, remove from heat, and discard vanilla pod and cinnamon sticks. Add chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Combine egg yolks and sugar in a large bowl, and whisk to combine. Pour chocolate mixture very slowly into egg-yolk mixture, whisking constantly, until fully combined. Slowly pour half the chocolate custard over bread, making sure all the bread is soaked. Arrange the reserved bread on top in a decorative pattern, and press firmly so bottom layer of bread absorbs chocolate mixture. Spoon remaining custard over bread until completely covered and all cracks are filled. Place a piece of plastic wrap over the dish; press down to soak bread thoroughly. Remove plastic, wipe edges of the dish with a damp towel, and allow to sit for 30 minutes. Place gratin dish in a larger pan; fill outer pan with hot water halfway up the sides of the gratin dish. Bake until set, about 35 minutes. Cool on a rack for 15 minutes. Whisk the creme fraiche until soft peaks form. Serve pudding warm, garnished with creme fraiche and chocolate shavings. Cook's Notes A nine-by-thirteen-inch glass baking dish may be used in place of a gratin dish. Print