Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding: Gooey Perfection Recipe

Introduction

This decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding offers a perfect balance of gooey, creamy, and rich chocolate flavors. Made with sweet bread soaked in a luscious custard and loaded with cream cheese and dark chocolate chunks, it’s a dessert that feels indulgent yet comforting.

Ingredients

• 1 loaf sweet bread (like brioche or challah), about 1 pound, torn into 1-inch pieces
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 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

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter. Scatter the torn bread pieces evenly in the prepared dish.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and well combined.
3. Step 3: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread pieces. Gently press down on the bread to fully submerge and help it absorb the liquid. Let it sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight for best results.
4. Step 4: After soaking, gently fold in the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks, spreading them evenly through the bread mixture.
5. Step 5: Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks over the top of the pudding. Bake in the preheated oven for 45-55 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
6. Step 6: Remove from the oven and cool for 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the creamy center to fully settle. Serve warm for the best gooey texture.

Tips & Variations

• Use brioche or challah for the sweetest, softest texture, but other sweet breads work well too.
• For extra richness, substitute half the whole milk with additional heavy cream.
• Experiment with milk chocolate or white chocolate chunks for different flavor profiles.
• If you prefer a firmer pudding, extend the baking time by a few minutes but avoid overbaking to keep it gooey inside.
• Adding a splash of coffee or espresso to the custard can intensify the chocolate flavor.

Storage

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or oven until warm. Avoid overheating to preserve the pudding’s creamy, gooey texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen bread for this recipe?

Yes, you can use frozen bread as long as it is fully thawed before starting the recipe. Slightly stale bread also works well because it soaks up the custard better.

What if I don’t have cream cheese?

The cream cheese adds a creamy tang and gooey pockets, but you can omit it or substitute with mascarpone or ricotta for a similar effect.

Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding: Gooey Perfection Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 117 reviews

This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is a luscious dessert featuring rich cream cheese and dark chocolate chunks baked into a custardy base made from brioche or challah bread. The bread soaks in a smooth custard mixture, creating a moist, gooey center contrasted by a golden, slightly crisp top. Perfect for a cozy treat or special occasion, this pudding balances creamy, sweet, and chocolatey flavors in every bite.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes (includes soaking time)
• Yield: 8 servings
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Bread Base

• Sweet bread (like brioche or challah), 1 loaf (about 1 pound), torn into 1-inch pieces

Custard Mixture

• Large eggs, 4
• Whole milk, 2 cups
• Heavy cream, 1 cup
• Granulated sugar, 1/2 cup
• Vanilla extract, 2 teaspoons
• Salt, 1/4 teaspoon

Fillings

• Cream cheese, 8 ounces, chilled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• Dark chocolate chunks or chips, 1 1/2 cups, divided

Other

• Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

1. Prepare the bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter. Evenly scatter the torn bread pieces in the prepared dish, ensuring a uniform layer.
2. Make the custard: In a large bowl, vigorously whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and evenly combined.
3. Soak the bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread pieces in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread with your hands or a spatula so all pieces are submerged and can absorb the custard. Let the dish sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to allow soaking, or cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight for optimal moisture and a gooey texture.
4. Add the fillings: After the soaking period, gently fold in the chilled cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks, distributing them evenly throughout the bread and custard mixture.
5. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks evenly over the top of the pudding. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the surface turns golden brown and the center is mostly set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken. Avoid overbaking to retain the gooey center.
6. Cool and serve: Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool in the baking dish for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting period helps the center fully set while preserving its creamy, gooey consistency. Serve warm for the best experience.

Notes

• Use brioche or challah bread for the best texture and flavor.
• For the gooey center, don’t skip the soaking time—longer soaking yields a moister pudding.
• Do not overbake; the pudding will finish setting as it cools.
• You can prepare the pudding a day ahead and bake it fresh before serving.
• Serve warm with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Keywords: Chocolate bread pudding, Cream cheese bread pudding, Decadent dessert, Gooey bread pudding, Brioche pudding, Chocolate custard dessert