Before winter is gone for good and cold days make way for colder drinks, I want to share with you one of my most favorite warm, comforting desserts ever. This bread pudding is crafted from fresh, buttery croissants, melt-in-your-mouth gourmet dark chocolate and pure love.
This is the kind of food that comes from the heart, y’all. So, sneak away from your salads and healthy resolutions for a moment, and DIG. THE HECK. IN.
All it took was a bunch of bakery croissants, chocolate, cream and strawberries, dreaming up something decadent and delicious, and taking the time to enjoy it. That is, before bikini season strikes and we all have to become responsible little eaters.
The soft croissant pieces soaked up the creamy spiced mixture you see above for just a few minutes before piling into a dish with a handful of chopped dark chocolate.
Drooling yet?
After baking for just about thirty minutes, this fabulously fluffy bread pudding was ready to be piled into a bowl with strawberries. With a little dusting of powdered sugar, a drizzle of homemade chocolate syrup (recipe coming soon), it was the perfect dessert. And, let’s be honest, breakfast the next morning too!
Try this decadent treat for yourself sometime and you’ll experience a slice of heaven too! The croissant base makes for a much lighter texture and taste than traditional bread puddings. With whipped cream, ice cream or any combination of fresh fruit, it makes for a enjoyable, easy dessert or breakfast!
Croissant and Chocolate Bread Pudding
Ingredients
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 3 large egg yolks
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 3 croissants, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 pound)
- 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, cut into chunks
Optional topping
- Fresh fruit such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
Instructions
- Heat oven to 375° F. Coat a small, shallow 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, salt, and nutmeg. Add the croissants and chocolate and mix to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and bake until set and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Serve with chocolate syrup, ice cream or whipped cream and fresh fruit, if desired.
- Enjoy!
This is truly an Heavenly Pudding….
I so wish I can DIG IN NOW!!!!
You know i love croissant for pudding but my husband get really scared when i do this… He is Fitness Freak, you can say…
But Dear I am so drooling over this…Yummmm..
How delicious! I’ve made a savoury version of this with cheese and ham which was, I think, a Nigella Lawson recipe but I much prefer this version with chocolate.
This is comfort food at it’s best. Is there a particular brand of chocolate that you favor?
I think I’ve had dreams about a bread pudding like this – thanks for making it a reality! ;)
Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts. The ultimate comfort food!
OH.MY this looks amazing!!!
Sandra – I used Guittard, but any will do just fine, even chocolate chips!
I’m not usually a fan of ‘bread and butter’ style puddings – mainly due to the texture. This on the other hand, looks fab using croissant and high quality dark chocolate!
Absolutely decadently delicious! I would skip a meal just to have an extra portion of this.
:-) Mandy
Oh STOP!! My husband LOVES croissants, and I love bread pudding.. bookmarking this!
Oh this is good..this is beyond good Georgia! Love how you made this..so creative! I can imagine the taste and softness of this bread pudding!
Oh my! This is my kind of dessert! Love using croissants in bread pudding.
Yes, yes I *am* drooling! Your photography is just stunning! Totally pinning this; it sounds absolutely amazing!
Wow, that looks good and I’m stuck at work right now and can’t get to my kitchen! LOL. I think I’ll be making this for dessert tonight.
I adore a good bread pudding – and with croissants – heck to the YES!! ~Megan {Country Cleaver}
I love the use of crossants in this!! So decadent!
Delicious!! I love croissants, but a great use of them here!
You did make a lovely choice for the bread used in this! I have made bread puddings with brioche which I thought was pretty tasty because I do favor that bread. However, I favor croissants even more, so I am sure I would really enjoy this dessert. Decadent and elegant-well done!
this looks sensational.. i would never have thought of adding croissant, oh yeah it would taste good. so funny, i just made bread pudding yesterday with whole wheat bread and it turned out amazing, my recipe is a bit different. love your photos!
This is a fabulous idea, Georgia! I love croissants, and by the looks of this, they make great bread pudding. Beautiful!
Can a dessert get any better than this?
I’m drooling so much I’m afraid I’ll ruin my computer! This looks fabulous, just my kind of dessert!
Chocolate and croissants, it can’t get any better than this! Sounds absolutely delish!
I love the idea of using croissants in a bread pudding, but I have yet to try it! I’m sort of afraid I’ll eat the whole pan!
This looks like such a comforting and delicious dessert. I could really do some damage to this! Would go great with a cup of java…yum Georgia!
Oh my goodness, this is heaven in a bowl. I just want to dive in.
Could I pass on bikini season and just stick with the bread pudding? This is one bowl of comforting dessert with all the flavors I’ve been known to indulge myself in from time to time;-)
Oooh, croissants in a bread pudding? With chocolate? Love. I have to try this.
This looks awesome! Love the use of croissants!
This is so unfair…as my sweet tooth is kicking in…I want it NOW!
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never made a bread pudding before…but I’m fairly certain that croissants are the way to kick it off!
Georgia, I haven’t had a chance to eat bread pudding before and I have been hesitant to make (always prefer crispy texture than mushy so bread pudding or oatmeal don’t seem to belong), but as soon as I read you use croissant, I changed my mind!! Well I love the good buttery croissant and I just imagine the flavor of this bread pudding…I’m easily sold today. Ha! =D
Bread pudding is far and above my most favorite dessert of all time…especially with croissants. I mean really. Could it be any better?
Ok, I’m not usually a fan of bread pudding…but this looks and sounds fantastic! I am pretty sure I would eat this and come back for more!
This must be amazing! Great recipe that I can almost taste.
Rita
Brilliant!!! I love chocolate bread pudding, and you can’t go wrong with croissants!
oh georgia, this looks absolutely divine! what a fabulous dessert!
I haven’t made any bread pudding in a long time…this one with croissant looks simply scrumpy!
This looks so perfect. Bread puddings are all wonderful, but your version is beautiful.
Oh my… this looks delectable. I just recently made a croissant bread pudding and it was to die for. I must try this one asap!
Gosh I wish I could take photos like you can. Your bread pudding with croissants looks fantastic. I can never have leftover croissants – everyone eats them. I’ll keep this in mind because it looks so good.
i’ve never made bread pudding… but using croissants (sooooo good!!!) instead of bread sounds fabulous. what a creative twist Georgia! Beautiful pictures, too. :)
ahhh yummy!! i cant think of making bread pudding with anything better than croissants. genius!
That looks positively delectable Georgia! Bikini? What bikini?
This looks delicious! Love all the chocolate in it.
Woah. Croissant bread pudding? Now THAT sounds sinfully delicious. what a recipe you’ve put together here!
What a delicious idea! And yes, I am drooling ;)
I made croissant bread pudding once, but the chocolate addition – oh my!!
Wow, I’m sitting in class looking through this recipe and I’m seriously fighting every urge to leave class to make this! I love a good bread pudding and I’m obsessed with croissants so there’s no doubt that I would love this!
oh. my. goodness! this dessert looks absolutley amazing! can’t go wrong with anything croissants!! thanks for sharing!!
What a beautiful site, and what a fabulous recipe!!! Now following … :)
I agree with everything Yenta Mary just said. This is a beautiful site and this recipe sound scrumptious.
Oh this looks so GOOD!
This looks so delicious. My dad made bread pudding a lot when I was a kid, but never with croissants. Your version looks amazing! I would love to try your recipe one day(soon). Thanks for sharing!
looks amazing, can’t wait to try this…curious as to how big are the portion sizes, and should i just double the recipe for a group? thank you!