Easy Homemade Paula Deen Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe

Chocolate bread pudding represents the ultimate comfort dessert that transforms humble ingredients into a decadent masterpiece.

Rich chocolate flavors mingle with soft, custardy textures to create an irresistible treat.

Southern cooking legends have long celebrated this indulgent dish as a crowd-pleasing classic.

Warm spices and deep chocolate notes dance together in a luxurious blend that feels both familiar and exciting.

Home bakers can easily craft this elegant dessert with simple pantry staples and minimal technique.

Professional and amateur chefs appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal fuss.

The final result promises a luscious, velvety experience that will delight even the most discerning sweet tooth: prepare to be amazed.

Why Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding is a Decadent Dessert

• Decadent Chocolate Indulgence: A rich, luxurious dessert that combines the deep, intense flavors of chocolate with a creamy, custardy texture that melts in your mouth.
• Versatile Serving Sensation: Enjoy this bread pudding warm or cold, making it perfect for any occasion – from casual family dinners to elegant dinner parties with its impressive Pecan Rum Flambé Sauce.
• Layered Flavor Complexity: The recipe masterfully blends multiple flavor dimensions with coffee-flavored liqueur, vanilla, almond extract, and cinnamon, creating a sophisticated and multi-dimensional dessert experience that tantalizes every taste bud.
• Effortless Gourmet Preparation: Despite its impressive appearance, this bread pudding is surprisingly simple to make, requiring basic baking skills and minimal technical expertise, allowing home cooks to create a restaurant-quality dessert with ease.

What You Need for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

• White Bread: Soft, day-old bread helps absorb the rich chocolate mixture with perfect texture.
• Bread Cubes: Creates the foundation for the pudding's structure and absorbs flavors.

• Milk, Heavy Cream: Provides creamy, rich base for the dessert's custard.
• Coffee-Flavored Liqueur: Adds depth and enhances chocolate flavor.

• Granulated Sugar, Light Brown Sugar: Offers balanced sweetness and caramel undertones.
• Cocoa Powder: Pure chocolate intensity with deep, rich flavor.
• Chocolate Chips: Adds extra chocolate bursts and melty texture.

• Vanilla Extract: Classic sweet aroma that complements chocolate.
• Almond Extract: Subtle nutty background note.
• Cinnamon: Warm spice that elevates chocolate flavor.

• Eggs: Binds ingredients and creates smooth, custardy texture.

• Butter: Provides rich base for caramel sauce.
• Brown Sugar: Creates caramel-like sauce with deep sweetness.
• Pecans: Adds crunch and nutty flavor to sauce.
• Rum: Provides alcoholic kick and additional flavor depth.

Step-by-Step Guide to Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Dish

Warm up the oven to 325°F (163°C). Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish and fill it with bread cubes.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Milk Base

• Milk
• Heavy cream
• Coffee-flavored liqueur

Step 3: Blend Sugars and Chocolate

• Granulated sugar
• Light brown sugar
• Cocoa powder

Add this mixture to the milk base, stirring until smooth.

Step 4: Prepare the Egg Mixture

• 4 beaten eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Almond extract
• Ground cinnamon

Fold this egg mixture into the milk mixture.

Step 5: Add Chocolate and Soak Bread

Stir in chocolate chips. Pour the entire mixture evenly over bread cubes. Let stand for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even absorption.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Bake for 1 hour. Check doneness by inserting a cake tester into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 7: Craft the Pecan Rum Flambé Sauce

• Melt butter
• Add brown sugar, stirring until caramelized
• Toss in chopped pecans
• Carefully add rum
• Turn off heat
• Ignite with a long lighter to flambé
• Allow flames to subside naturally

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Plate the bread pudding warm or chilled. Drizzle the Pecan Rum Flambé Sauce generously on top. Indulge in this rich, chocolatey dessert that’s sure to impress!

Pro Tips for Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

• Select Crusty Bread: Grab day-old bread with firm texture for maximum flavor absorption and perfect pudding consistency.
• Blend Spices Thoroughly: Whisk eggs with intense spice combinations to create deep, rich undertones throughout the dessert.
• Control Flame Carefully: Manage rum sauce ignition from a safe distance, allowing natural flame reduction without sudden movements.
• Warm Serving Strategy: Reheat portions gently to maintain chocolate's smooth texture and preserve delicate pudding structure.
• Prevent Soggy Results: Allow precise soaking time so bread captures milk mixture without disintegrating into mushy texture.

How to Store Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

• Refrigerate: Seal the decadent chocolate bread pudding in an airtight glass container to lock in moisture and prevent flavor absorption from other foods. Consume within 3 days for optimal taste and texture.
• Freeze: Portion individual servings in freezer-safe containers, wrapping each tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring maximum flavor preservation by removing excess air before sealing.
• Revive: Restore the pudding's original lusciousness by thawing overnight in the refrigerator, then gently warming in the oven at 325°F. Sprinkle fresh chocolate shavings or a drizzle of warm caramel sauce before serving to enhance its rich, indulgent character and bring back its just-baked appeal.

Delicious Variations on Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

• Boozy Berry Bliss: Replace coffee liqueur with raspberry liqueur and add fresh mixed berries to the bread mixture for a fruity, vibrant version of the classic dessert.
• Tropical Chocolate Paradise: Swap out some milk with coconut milk, add toasted coconut flakes, and mix in diced mango for a tropical-inspired chocolate bread pudding experience.
• Salted Caramel Chocolate Dream: Incorporate salted caramel sauce into the milk mixture and top the finished pudding with additional caramel drizzle and a sprinkle of sea salt for a decadent sweet-salty combination.
• Nutty Chocolate Crunch: Mix in chopped almonds and hazelnuts throughout the bread pudding, and garnish with a crunchy praline topping for added texture and nutty flavor.

Final Words on Paula Deen’s Chocolate Bread Pudding

Rich chocolate essence weaves through Paula Deen’s luxurious bread pudding, creating an indulgent dessert experience that whispers southern comfort.

Layers of cream-soaked bread merge with deep chocolate notes, promising pure culinary magic in each spoonful.

Warm pecan rum sauce drizzled atop elevates this classic recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Chocolate lovers will discover an irresistible harmony of textures and flavors dancing across their palate.

Sweet memories unfold with each decadent bite, inviting celebration and pure gastronomic pleasure.

Passionate cooks, share this recipe, spread deliciousness through social media, and let chocolate magic inspire kitchen adventures near and far.

Paula Deen Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Paula Deen’s chocolate bread pudding promises a luxurious Southern dessert experience with rich custard and chocolate-soaked bread. Warm spices and velvety chocolate create a comforting classic that welcomes you to savor each indulgent spoonful.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 1 lb loaf French bread, cut into cubes
• 3 cups milk
• 6 eggs, lightly beaten
• 8 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Sweet Components:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed light brown sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar
• ¼ cup cocoa powder
• ¼ cup heavy cream

Flavor Enhancers and Liquids:

• 1 stick butter
• ½ cup coffee flavored liqueur
• ¼ cup dark rum
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 2 teaspoons almond extract
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
• ½ cup chopped pecans

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C) and lightly coat a 13×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Evenly distribute bread cubes across the bottom of the dish.
2. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together whole milk, heavy cream, and coffee-flavored liqueur until smooth and well integrated.
3. Create a sugar blend by combining granulated sugar, light brown sugar, and cocoa powder in a separate bowl. Gently fold this mixture into the milk liquid, ensuring thorough incorporation.
4. Crack eggs into a medium bowl and beat thoroughly. Add vanilla extract, almond extract, and ground cinnamon, mixing until the ingredients are fully combined.
5. Incorporate the egg mixture into the milk and sugar liquid, stirring gently to create a cohesive custard base.
6. Fold chocolate chips into the custard, distributing them evenly throughout the mixture.
7. Pour the entire custard mixture over the bread cubes, making sure each piece is saturated. Allow the bread to soak for 20-25 minutes, occasionally pressing the cubes to ensure maximum liquid absorption.
8. Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven and bake for approximately 55-65 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center emerges clean and the top is golden brown.
9. While the bread pudding bakes, prepare the sauce by melting butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add brown sugar and stir until it caramelizes and becomes smooth.
10. Introduce chopped pecans to the caramel mixture and cook briefly to toast and enhance their flavor.
11. Carefully add rum to the skillet, then remove from heat. Use a long lighter to ignite the sauce, allowing the flames to burn off the alcohol.
12. Once the bread pudding has finished baking, remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
13. Serve the pudding warm or at room temperature, generously drizzling the pecan rum sauce over each portion.

Notes

• Bread choice matters for texture, selecting slightly dry or day-old pieces ensures perfect absorption without turning soggy.
• Mixing ingredients thoroughly prevents clumpy custard, creating smooth and consistent flavor throughout every bite.
• Spice combinations elevate the classic dessert, experimenting with nutmeg or cardamom adds unexpected depth and warmth.
• Alcohol enhancement brings complexity, carefully flambeeing rum develops rich caramelized notes without overwhelming sweetness.
• Temperature control determines pudding’s success, gentle baking prevents cracking and maintains silky custard-like consistency.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 460 kcal
• Sugar: 36g
• Sodium: 180mg
• Fat: 26g
• Saturated Fat: 15g
• Carbohydrates: 51g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 7g
• Cholesterol: 190mg