Introduction

This decadent chocolate and cream cheese bread pudding is pure gooey perfection. Combining rich cream cheese, dark chocolate, and sweet, tender bread, it’s a comforting dessert that feels both indulgent and homey. Perfect for sharing or treating yourself on a cozy day.

Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding: Gooey Perfection Recipe - Recipe Image

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

Step 1: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with butter. Spread the torn bread pieces evenly in the dish.
Step 2: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and combined.
Step 3: Pour the custard mixture evenly over the bread. Gently press the bread to ensure all pieces 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.
Step 4: Stir the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks gently into the soaked bread mixture to distribute them evenly.
Step 5: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chunks over the top. Bake for 45-55 minutes until the top is golden and the center is set but slightly jiggly.
Step 6: Remove from oven and allow to cool for 15-20 minutes before serving to let the creamy center settle perfectly. Serve warm.

Tips & Variations

For a moister, gooier center, don’t skip the soaking time and avoid overbaking. The pudding will firm up as it cools.
Try substituting the dark chocolate with semi-sweet or milk chocolate chunks for a different flavor profile.
Add a handful of chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for added texture and crunch.

Storage

Store leftover bread pudding covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or in a low oven until warmed through. The texture may firm up after refrigerating but reheating will help soften it again.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of bread?

Yes, brioche or challah work best because of their richness, but you can also use other sweet breads or even sturdy white bread. Avoid very dense or whole grain breads for best texture.

How do I know when the pudding is done baking?

The top should be golden brown and the center should be mostly set but still have a slight jiggle when you gently shake the pan. The pudding will firm up more as it cools, so avoid overbaking to keep the gooey texture.

Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding: Gooey Perfection Recipe

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4.4 from 87 reviews

This Decadent Chocolate & Cream Cheese Bread Pudding is the ultimate comfort dessert featuring soft, sweet bread soaked in a rich custard, studded with creamy cubes of cream cheese and melted dark chocolate chunks for a gooey, indulgent center. Perfect for a cozy gathering or special treat, it combines the buttery richness of brioche or challah with luscious chocolate and cream cheese in a warm, golden-baked dish that is sure to delight.

Author: Stella
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 3 hours 10 minutes (including soaking; actual hands-on time about 20 minutes)
Yield: 8 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Bread

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

Custard

4 large eggs
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt

Fillings

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

Others

Unsalted butter, for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

Prepare the bread: Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish with unsalted butter. Scatter the torn bread pieces evenly in the prepared dish to form the base of your pudding.
Make the custard: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until the mixture is smooth and well combined, creating a rich custard.
Soak the bread: Pour the custard evenly over the bread pieces in the baking dish. Gently press down on the bread to ensure it is fully soaked and submerged in the custard. Allow the mixture to sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or cover and refrigerate for 2 hours to overnight for best results. This soaking step is essential for a moist and gooey center.
Add the fillings: After soaking, gently fold in the cream cheese cubes and 1 cup of the dark chocolate chunks so they are evenly distributed throughout the bread and custard mixture.
Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of dark chocolate chunks over the top of the pudding. Bake for 45 to 55 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken—avoid overbaking to maintain the gooey texture.
Cool and serve: Remove the bread pudding from the oven and let it cool for 15 to 20 minutes. This resting time allows the creamy center to settle perfectly. Serve warm to enjoy the decadent, gooey layers of chocolate and cream cheese.

Notes

For the best gooey center, ensure the bread soaks in the custard for at least 30 minutes, ideally 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.
Do not overbake; the pudding should be slightly jiggly in the center when removed from the oven as it will continue to set while cooling.
Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best flavor and texture.
Chilling the cream cheese before cutting helps it maintain shape during baking.
Feel free to use either brioche or challah as they both provide a rich, tender bread base.

Keywords: chocolate bread pudding, cream cheese dessert, baked custard pudding, decadent dessert, comfort food, brioche bread pudding, challah bread pudding