Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding

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Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding is mixed with dried cherries, maple syrup, whisky, & warm spices. Top it with Maple Whisky Sauce and it's an elegant dessert!

Recipes using custard abound

I have been on a custard kick as of late. I’ve recently made eggnog and an English Spotted Dick with Vanilla Custard (insert inevitable jokes and sniggers here).

So, when I decided to make Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding, I was once again making a variation of créme anglaise (aka vanilla sauce), albeit this time the custard was baked rather than cooked on the stove top. Who’da thunk it?

[Side Note: a version of this post first appeared on my OutlanderCast column, 1/24/2019]

How to make bread pudding

The concept is simple…basically, bread pudding is stale bread soaked in an egg and cream custard, then baked until the custard sets. Think egg custard with mix-ins. 

There are any number of bread pudding recipes available online...the different recipes are based on the mix-ins you put with the bread, and whether it’s served with a sauce. 

I adapted my recipe from the one found in the Outlander Kitchen Cookbook by Theresa Carle-Sanders, but I also looked at many other sources as well.

Bread pudding sauce is optional (as is putting whisky in both the bread pudding and the sauce), but we all know I don’t shy away from boozy food!

Bread Pudding with texture

I love contrasting flavors and textures, and adding chocolate chips to bread pudding is just the start. Technically, this dish should be called Cherry Pecan Whisky Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Maple Butterscotch Whisky Sauce, but that’s a bit of a mouthful, don’t you think?

What is a mouthful is how well these ingredients go together…chocolate and cherries bring sweetness, toasted pecans add a crunch, and whisky kicks it up a notch.

And that silky whisky sauce…well, luckily this recipe makes a lot, so you'll have leftovers to drizzle on ice cream, cookies, cakes... (we get the picture)

Bread pudding is easy and homey, yet it can be dressed up and become an elegant dessert to serve to your guests. Prep it ahead and pop it in the oven two hours before you want to serve it…you’ll have more time with family and friends to enjoy the holiday season. And who doesn’t want that?

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4.5 from 2 votes

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Maple Whisky Sauce

This Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding is so homey, filled with flavor from dried cherries, maple syrup, whisky, and warm baking spices. Top it with a silky Maple Whisky Sauce, and you have an elegant, yet comforting, dessert to serve your guests!

Adapted from Outlander Kitchen Cookbook Jem’s Bread Pudding with Maple Butterscotch Sauce, p286 (but lots of other sources as well)

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time1 hr

Resting Time1 hr

Total Time2 hrs 15 mins

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, British

Keyword: Boozy Food, Bread, Bread Pudding, Butterscotch, Chocolate Chips, Maple, Scotch, Whisky, Whisky Sauce

Servings: 20 servings

Calories: 520kcal

Author: Tammy Spencer, Scotch & Scones

Special Equipment

• Pyrex 3-qt glass oblong baking dish

Ingredients

Bread Pudding

• 1 loaf french bread, cubed, about 8-10 cups (16 oz, 450g)
• 1 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped (5-1/2 oz, 160g)
• 1 cup pecans, coarsely chopped (4 oz, 113g)
• 1 package chocolate chips, (12 oz, 340g)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted (4 oz, 113g)
• 1 cup dark brown sugar, lightly packed (6-1/2 oz, 185g)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, (5-1/2 oz, 156g)
• 4 large eggs
• 1/4 cup whisky, optional, see Recipe Notes (2 oz, 56g)
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg, see Recipe Notes
• 1/8 tsp ground cloves, see Recipe Notes
• 2 cups milk, see Recipe Notes (16 oz, 454g)
• 1 cup heavy cream, (8 oz, 227g)

Butterscotch Sauce

• 1/2 cup butter, (4 oz, 113g)
• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed (3-1/2 oz, 100g)
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, (5-1/2 oz, 156g)
• 1/4 cup whisky, optional, see Recipe Notes (2 oz, 56g)
• 1 cup heavy cream, warmed (8 oz, 227g)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt

Procedure

• Move rack to middle of oven. Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a Pyrex 3-qt glass oblong baking dish (2-inch deep 9-inch x 13-inch).

Make the Bread Pudding

• In a large bowl, combine the bread cubes, dried cherries, chocolate chips, and 1/2 cup of the pecans. Add the melted butter and toss to coat evenly.
• In another large bowl, whisk the eggs, then add brown sugar, maple syrup, whisky, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves and whisk until combined. Whisk in milk and cream. Pour into bread mixture and mix well. Let sit at least 30 minutes for custard to soak into the bread cubes.
• Pour bread mixture into the buttered baking dish and top with remaining pecans. Bake 40-60 minutes, or until golden brown and custard is almost set (it will finish setting as it cools). Remove from oven and let cool at least 30 minutes.

Make the Whisky Sauce

• While the bread pudding is baking, in a medium saucepan melt butter over medium-high heat. Add the brown sugar and maple syrup and stir until smooth.
• Bring to boil and cook 5 minutes. Stir in whisky (mixture will sizzle) and cook about 30 seconds, then stir in warmed cream and salt. Bring back to boil and cook and stir 1 minute, then remove from heat and let cool.
• To serve, reheat bread pudding at 325°F until warm (if needed). Drizzle the sauce on, then plate and serve with additional sauce on the side. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

I liked the addition of nutmeg and cloves, but you can leave it out if you want. Also, I used 1% milk, but any type will do.

The whisky may be optional in the custard and sauce, but I used it (do you really think I wouldn't?). If you do choose to follow my lead, make sure whatever whisky you use in the sauce is good quality and something you’d like to drink. 

You can alter the mix-ins – I used dried cherries and chocolate chips, but you can use raisins, fresh or dried apples, apricots or any other fruit you’d like. Vary the nuts (how about almonds or walnuts?) or leave them out, use toffee or butterscotch chips for the chocolate or leave that out, too. It’s totally customizable and up to you!

The Whisky Sauce will separate upon standing...just reheat it gently, either in a water bath (place the jar in a pot of simmering water) or in short bursts in the microwave on a low power setting, then stir.

Bread Pudding can be frozen after baking (make sure the baking dish is freezer safe). Cool completely, then wrap well with a double layer of plastic wrap, then a double layer of foil, and freeze. Defrost in refrigerator overnight, then warm in oven before serving. Frozen bread pudding will keep 2-3 months.

Nutrition Facts

Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding with Maple Whisky Sauce

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 520

* Percent daily values are based on a 2,000 cal per day diet.

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