Blackberry & White Chocolate Bread Pudding

Name: Blackberry & White Chocolate Bread Pudding
Prep time: 30 min
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 2 loaves fresh ciabatta, cut into 1 inch cubes; 1 pint California Giant blackberries, cut in half widthwise; 1 quart half and half; 1 quart heavy cream; 2 cup sugar, divided; 23 egg yolks; 2 tablespoons vanilla extract; 1 bag white chocolate chips; ½ cup powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons milk; 4 California Giant blackberries; 2 bread loaf pans or 9x13 pan; Large casserole dish that is bigger than your choice of pan; 1 blender

Prep Time30 min

Serves8

Blackberries create a deep purple color within and on top of this Blackberry and White Chocolate Bread Pudding. White chocolate brings an added sweet element to this ciabatta based dessert.

INGREDIENTS

Bread Pudding:

2 loaves fresh ciabatta, cut into 1 inch cubes
1 pint California Giant blackberries, cut in half widthwise
1 quart half and half
1 quart heavy cream
2 cup sugar, divided
23 egg yolks
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 bag white chocolate chips

For the Blackberry Drizzle:

½ cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
4 California Giant blackberries

Equipment Needed:

2 bread loaf pans or 9x13 pan
Large casserole dish that is bigger than your choice of pan
1 blender

DIRECTIONS

- - Preheat your oven to 200 degrees.
- - Cut ciabatta loaves into 1 inch cubes, spread evenly on a sheet trays, and dry in oven for approximately 30 minutes. The goal is to dry out the cubes where they are almost like a crouton on the outside, but still JUST a bit soft on the inside.
- - Set aside.
- - Meanwhile, in a medium sauce pot, combine 1 cup sugar, cream, half and half, and vanilla and whisk until well incorporated. Heat over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until right before it simmers.
- - In a large bowl, vigorously whisk the eggs yolks with 1 cup sugar until they are pale yellow and frothy.
- - Once the cream mixture is ready, SLOWLY drizzle a little bit at a time into the bowl of egg mixture while whisking continually. This tempers the eggs so that they don’t scramble from the high heat of the cream mixture. Continue to drizzle in the cream mixture until all incorporated.
- - Pour back into the sauce pot, and cook on LOW until it starts to thicken to a loose pudding consistency, about 10 minutes. STIR FREQUENTLY. You will know when it is ready when you dip a wooden spoon in the mixture and then draw your finger down the back of the spoon. If the liquid quickly runs back together, keep cooking. If it stays separated, it’s ready!
- - Slightly cool mixture and then strain through a fine mesh strainer. Next, toss with bread cubes in a bowl.
- - Let soak for 5 minutes, tossing every minute.
- - Once ready, stir in 1 bag of white chocolate chips.
- - Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
- - Divide the bread/chocolate mixture into two large bread loaf pans OR 1 9x13 casserole dish. Pour about half of the mixture in the pan, sprinkle evenly with halved blackberries, then place the rest of the bread mixture on top.
- - Place the pan(s) into a slightly larger dish and fill the second dish with water so that it fills up about halfway up the side of the dish with the bread in it. This creates a water bath and allows the bread mixture to properly cook in the custard without drying out.
- - Bake, covered with foil, for 30 minutes. Remove foil, bake for another 10-15 minutes or until center is bubbling/hot.
- - Remove from oven and let cool slightly.
- - Drizzle with the blackberry icing and serve!