Chocolate Bread Pudding with Caramel Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 cups homogenized milk
• 1 3/4 cup whipping cream
• 1/4 cup salted butter, cubed
• 2 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 6 egg yolks
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tbsp Grand Marnier or other orange liqueur
• 1 tbsp grated orange peel
• 8 cups day-old French bread cubes
• Caramel Sauce, recipe follows

Directions

1. Combine milk and cream in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Remove from heat.
2. Add butter, bittersweet chocolate and unsweetened chocolate, stirring until butter and chocolate are melted. Whisk in cocoa.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together egg yolks and brown sugar until well blended.
4. Gradually whisk in 1 cup milk mixture. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk mixture.
5. Stir in Grand Marnier and orange peel. Add bread cubes; stir gently to combine.
6. Spoon into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
7. Preheat oven to 350°F.
8. Remove baking dish from refrigerator.
9. Bake, uncovered, until a knife inserted in centre comes out clean, about 60 – 65 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes. Serve warm with caramel sauce.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup whipping cream
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla

Yield: Makes 1 cup

Directions

1. Combine whipping cream, sugar and butter in a small saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat and cook, stirring, for I minute.
3. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla. Serve warm.