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    Hungry Healthy Happy » Recipes » Dessert

    Chocolate Bread Pudding

    Published: Mar 14, 2019 · Modified: Dec 5, 2022 by Dannii · This post may contain affiliate links · 38 Comments

    843 shares
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    Jump to Recipe
    Diet: Low Fat / Vegetarian

    We took a classic bread pudding and put a lighter spin on it by sweetening it with just a little honey, using brown seeded bread and then we added some dark chocolate chunks. Because, why not! This Chocolate Bread Pudding is total comfort food but a little lighter.

    Bread pudding on a white plate next to a serving spoon and a towel.

    Bread pudding is one of those classic school desserts that always brings back happy memories of eating it in the canteen full of hundreds of rowdy and sugar high kids. Nowadays, it is one of our favourite ways to reduce food waste as the bulk of the dish is bread. Got some bread that has gone a bit stale? It's screaming to be turned in to a chocolate bread pudding.

    If you are looking for some more comforting desserts, then why not try our Creamy Rice Pudding, Mixed Berry Crisp, or Apple and Plum Crumble.

    Jump to:
    • Why you will love it
    • What is bread pudding?
    • Ingredients and substitutions
    • How to make chocolate bread pudding -Step by step
    • What bread to use
    • Variations
    • Serving suggestion
    • FAQs
    • Extra tips
    • More dessert recipes
    • Recipe
    • Feedback

    Why you will love it

    • Great way to use up bread - This chocolate bread pudding recipe ensures that no bread goes to waste. Bring stale bread back to life with this recipe.
    • Low in calories for an indulgent tasting dessert - This tastes far more indulgent than it actually is, as we have made a couple healthy swaps.
    • Kids will love it - Any dessert with chocolate gets a big thumbs up from kids, right?
    • Easy to adapt with different flavours - You can adapt it with different add-ins like dried fruit and nuts.

    What is bread pudding?

    Bread pudding is basically the combination of torn up leftover bread, milk, eggs and a sweetener. All soaked up together and then baked in the oven until gooey and crispy. Kind of like a sweet casserole. But there is so much more you can do with it and lots of ways to customise it.

    What does it taste like? It's kind of got the gooeyness of brownies, but the flavour of French toast and it's pretty dense. Then it takes on the flavour of whatever else you have added in to it.

    It's a classic British dessert and in the 13th century is was known as a poor man's pudding, because of the basic ingredients that it uses. Basic doesn't have to be boring and if you want comforting dessert that the whole family will love, then this is it.

    Ingredients and substitutions

    All the ingredients needed for this recipe with text overlay labels.
    • Bread - You can use whatever bread you like, making this a great recipe to reduce food waste.
    • Milk - You can use any milk you like, and you could even use almond or cashew milk.
    • Egg - This is what makes up the majority of the mixture and gives it that lovely cakey texture.
    • Vanilla - This adds lots of flavour. Make sure you use extract and not essence.
    • Honey - This is what we have used to sweeten the chocolate bread pudding. You could use maple syrup instead, or another liquid sweetener.
    • Chocolate - It wouldn't be a chocolate bread pudding without it. We used a 70% dark chocolate, so it is really rich. You could use milk chocolate, or even use a flavoured chocolate like chocolate orange. You can us chocolate chips or chunks of chocolate.
    • Cinnamon - Chocolate and cinnamon is a delicious combination and a little pinch really brings out the flavours.

    A full ingredients list with measurements is in the recipe card below.

    How to make chocolate bread pudding -Step by step

    One: Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Tear the bread and put it into a baking dish.

    A round baking dish containing torn pieces of bread.

    Two: In a bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, honey, vanilla and cinnamon.

    A round bowl containing an egg and milk mixture with cinnamon.

    Three: Pour the milk mixture over the bread and make sure everything is covered. Put in the fridge for at least an hour.

    Egg and milk soaked bread in a round baking dish.

    Four: Take out of the fridge and sprinkle the chocolate chunks on top.

    Milk soaked bread in a baking dish with chocolate chips sprinkled over it.

    Five: Bake for 40 minutes.

    Baked Chocolate Bread Pudding in a round baking dish.

    What bread to use

    The great thing about this is you can use pretty much any bread - which is why it's so good for using up stale bread. We had some wholemeal seeded bread that needed using, so we tore that up to mix in. You can use regular white bread or you can even use croissants if you want to make it a little more indulgent.

    Variations

    We have made this chocolate bread pudding so many times over the year and I don't think we have made it the same way twice. Use this as a base recipe and then go crazy with the add-ons. You can mix in some chopped nuts (we like pecans) and dried fruit (cranberries or cherries go well with the chocolate).

    If you want a flavoured bread pudding, then orange or mint go well with chocolate. You can use orange or mint extract or swap a little of the milk for some orange juice and then grate some fresh orange zest on top when you sprinkle the chocolate.

    Serving suggestion

    You can serve it as it is, but if you want to make it more of an indulgent dessert, then serve it with some ice cream or frozen yogurt. A little drizzle of caramel sauce is a good addition too. Or, why not add our Chocolate Sauce for an extra chocolate flavour?

    Chocolate Bread Pudding on a plate in front of a dish of more bread pudding.

    FAQs

    Can chocolate bread pudding be made in advance?

    Yes, and there is some preparation that goes in to this dish that would suit it being made in advance. Once you have added the liquid to the bread, it then needs to go in the fridge for at least an hour so that the bread can soak everything up. But, you could leave it in the fridge for 4-5 hours and then put it in the oven 40 minutes before you are ready to eat it.

    Can you reheat bread pudding?

    This will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days and then you can either eat it cold, at room temperature or heat it up in the oven. I do find that the texture changes when it reheats, so it's best eaten straight after cooking - you can always change the portion sizes if needed.

    heart icon

    Extra tips

    • Stale bread is best to use, so this is a great recipe to reduce food waste.
    • You can add so many different things to this dessert. Nuts and dried fruit work well.
    • Want a flavoured bread pudding? Swap the vanilla extract for an orange or mint extract.
    • Add some extra creaminess by adding dots of cream cheese at the same time as the chocolate. It will all melt together to make these more indulgent.
    • Leftovers will keep in the fridge for about 3 days.

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    If you’ve tried this chocolate bread pudding recipe, then let us know how you got on in the comments below.
    Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - You can use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.

    Recipe

    Chocolate bread pudding on a plate with raspberries and a ball of ice cream.

    Chocolate Bread Pudding

    By: Dannii
    This is no traditional bread pudding recipe, but that's not a bad thing. This Chocolate Bread Pudding is a healthy alternative to the traditional dessert.
    the words low fat in a white circle.
    Low Fat
    An illustration of a v-shaped plant.
    Vegetarian
    4.91 from 31 votes
    Pin Print Save recipe Recipe saved!
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: British
    Prep: 5 mins
    Cook: 40 mins
    Total: 45 mins
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 215kcal
    Allergens:
    An illustration of a carton of milk.
    Dairy
    An illustration of a cracked egg.
    Eggs
    An illustration of two ears of wheat.
    Gluten
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 8 slice (8 slice) Brown bread
    • 300 ml (1.25 cups) Skimmed milk
    • 1 (1) Egg
    • 1 tablespoon (1 teaspoon) Vanilla extract
    • 4 tablespoon (4 tablespoon) Honey
    • 50 g (1.75 oz) Chocolate - dark
    • 0.5 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) Ground cinnamon

    Instructions

    • Preheat your oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas 6. Tear the bread and put it into a baking dish.
      8 slice Brown bread
    • In a bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, honey, vanilla and cinnamon.
      300 ml Skimmed milk, 1 Egg, 1 tablespoon Vanilla extract, 4 tablespoon Honey, 0.5 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
    • Pour the milk mixture over the bread and make sure everything is covered. Put in the fridge for at least an hour.
    • Take out of the fridge and sprinkle the chocolate chunks on top. 
      50 g Chocolate
    • Bake for 40 minutes.

    Notes

    • Stale bread is best to use, so this is a great recipe to reduce food waste.
    • You can add so many different things to this dessert. Nuts and dried fruit work well.
    • Want a flavoured bread pudding? Swap the vanilla extract for an orange or mint extract.
    • Add some extra creaminess by adding dots of cream cheese at the same time as the chocolate. It will all melt together to make these more indulgent.
    • Leftovers will keep in the fridge for about 3 days.

    Nutritional Information

    Serving: 1portion | Calories: 215kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 202mg | Potassium: 225mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 147IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 1mg
    DisclaimerThe nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. marie johson

      December 18, 2019 at 3:15 pm

      5 stars
      OMG This sinfully rich dark chocolate bread pudding tastes like a pan of warm fudgy brownies. Absolutely delicious <3

      Reply
    2. Runar Snoeks

      April 02, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      5 stars
      I absolutely love this recipe! I think it's a great way to reduce leftovers and use them for the next meal. I've never tried bread pudding, but this recipe really opened me up for trying more. The twist of adding chocolate was what made this recipe so delicious and unique. It's also great that lactose free milk can be used because i have a friend who's lactose intolerant. I know every type of bread works but I used white bread and I think that's the best option. It's also great that it can be prepared in advance so i can make it when i have time, but when I'm busy I can heat the dish up and eat it quickly.
      Overall I think it's a great recipe, thanks!!

      Reply
    3. Shinta

      March 28, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      This is a lovely idea! A lighter version of bread pudding would be perfect for me. I’m trying to go easy on refined sugar so substitutes like honey are perfect! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    4. Shinta

      March 28, 2019 at 7:12 pm

      This is a lovely idea! A lighter version of bread pudding would be perfect for me. I'm trying to go easy on refined sugar so substitutes like honey are perfect! Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    5. Morgan Eisenberg

      March 28, 2019 at 5:16 pm

      5 stars
      Brown bread and honey sounds so rich and delicious, you wouldn't even notice it's the "healthy" version!

      Reply
    6. Alyssa

      March 28, 2019 at 4:32 pm

      5 stars
      I want this now! :) The melty chocolate looks heavenly. Bread pudding is my weakness, especially the chocolatey kind.

      Reply
      • Paul

        June 21, 2020 at 10:08 am

        3 stars
        Why use vegan chocolate if you're still using milk, eggs and honey? Do you have any suggestions how to sub those to make it a fully plant-based recipe?

        Reply
        • Dannii

          June 21, 2020 at 2:24 pm

          We use dark chocolate because we find it's best for an intense chocolate flavour in this. The dark chocolate we use, just happens to be vegan. You could swap the milk for almond/soy and use maple syrup instead of honey. You could try a flax egg, however I haven't tried this myself.
          Can I ask why you have given the recipe 3 stars? Have you tried the recipe and had an issue with it? Thanks.

          Reply
    7. Jemma

      March 28, 2019 at 4:01 pm

      5 stars
      I love a super simple faff free recipe. Chocolate bread pudding sounds right up nh street!

      Reply
    8. Noelle

      March 28, 2019 at 3:42 pm

      5 stars
      I made this with some raspberries just like you did in this picture and it was a beyond perfect pair! Will be making again soon

      Reply
    9. Meghna

      March 24, 2019 at 3:23 am

      5 stars
      We love chocolate bread pudding! My husband will be so much excited to eat one more this weekend. Am gonna make this one ☝️ tomorrow

      Reply
    10. Diana

      March 24, 2019 at 2:20 am

      5 stars
      This reminds me that I haven't had bread pudding in a very long time, I need to make it preferably with chocolate like your version. Looks amazing!

      Reply
    11. Suzy

      March 24, 2019 at 1:38 am

      5 stars
      Made this last night and there wasn't any leftover for today!

      Reply
    12. Rosa

      March 23, 2019 at 11:51 pm

      5 stars
      Mmm this sounds so delicious, will definitely be giving this a try!

      Reply
    13. Jenna

      March 23, 2019 at 11:38 pm

      5 stars
      Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts to get out! I'm going to make this one for Easter. Working on my menu.

      Reply
    14. Annie @ Annie's Noms

      March 22, 2019 at 12:37 pm

      Oh my goodness, this looks heavenly!! I adore bread pudding and chocolate so the two married together? What's not to love! Definitely making this soon!

      Reply
    15. kim

      March 22, 2019 at 12:16 pm

      5 stars
      I will be making this recipe again and again! It was absolutely delicious and so easy!

      Reply
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