Austrian Bread Pudding with Chocolate

Don’t miss to participate in Bake-a-Cake event and win a wonderful gift.Last date -27th Feb’10.

We always need something luscious and sweet in our lives every now and then.Chocolates lifts my spirit and makes me happy.There is a reason for this -Chocolate contains a chemical called phenylethylalamine that naturally occurs in our brains and is responsible for controlling our moods.More about chocolate mentioned in my earlier post here.

I have been on and off from blogging,one or the other things keeps me busy.I was so very looking forward to participate in Meeta’s Monthly Mingle ( hosted by Jamie for this month)mainly coz it had my fav ingredient – CHOCOLATE.I baked some Austrian Bread Pudding with chocolate for the event today.Austrians are famous all around the world for their Apple Strudel. They also make a variety of puddings,cakes and tarts.My favorite has always been their puddings,you can find my Hazelnut Pudding which I had baked earlier. As far as I know,Austrian Bread Pudding does not contain chocolate. However,it surely added a different flavor to this traditional recipe giving it a complete new dimension.

Here is how I made it-

Black Seedless Raisins – 3 tbsp(I used organic)

Rum – 3tbsp

3tbsp Butter

5-6 slices of old white bread or bite sizes of challah

1 Apple,peeled cored and sliced

3 tbsp Sugar

1/2 tsp All spice powder and grounded nutmeg

2 egg yolks,beaten

Semisweet Chocolate chips/pieces – ½ Cup

½ Cup milk( I used whole milk)

½ Cup Heavy cream + 2tbsp to melt chocolate

Chocolate Extract – ½ tsp(You can substitute Vanilla Extract)

2 tbsp Sliced Almonds for garnishing

Method:Soak the raisins in rum overnight. Melt chocolate with 2 tbsp of heavy cream in the microwave. Separately add Cream,Milk,Sugar and the spices to the beaten egg yolk.Add this mixture to the melted chocolate and stir to remove any lumps. Meanwhile preheat oven at 375F.

Remove the crust from the bread and generously apply butter and cut into small pieces. Spread them in one layer on a greased pan (I used an 8” oval pan).Sprinkle the apple and raisins (drain the liquid before using).Place another layer of the bread slices on top of it. Gently pour the prepared liquid all over the bread,sprinkle the drained rum and sliced almonds and bake for 30-35 min,until the top is browned.

Serve warm with Whipped cream/Icecream.

Verdict: You don’t have to go to Austria to taste this,its so simple to make at home:) Instead of rum I have also tried using chocolate milk(mixed a spoonful of drinking chocolate with milk),plain milk can also be a good option.Few bread slices on the top and the sides were crunchy making it all the more yummy,this is the best thing i like about it.Its surely a perfect twist to a traditional recipe.

This is off to Meeta’s Monthly Mingle hosted by Jamie of Life’s a feast. Thanks Jamie for choosing the perfect theme:)