CHOCOLATE AND CINNAMON BREAD ON BREAD PUDDING

Chocolate and Cinnamon Bread on Bread Pudding image

Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King

Time 2h30m

Yield 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 large cinnamon-raisin bread boule, at least 1 day old or lightly toasted
1/2 cup whole milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
3 large eggs, whisked
1/2 cup chocolate chunks
Nonstick cooking spray, for the parchment
2 tablespoons demerara sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
2 cups heavy cream
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Pinch of kosher salt

Steps:

For the bread pudding: Using a serrated knife, hollow out the boule. Cube the hollowed-out bread into 2-inch pieces and put in a large bowl. Using your fingers or a spoon, scrape any remaining bread from inside the boule to create a crusty bowl. Add any scraped bread to the bowl along with the bread cubes.
In a medium pot, gently heat the milk, cream, butter, granulated sugar and vanilla paste until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Let cool completely.
Add the eggs to the milk mixture and whisk until combined. Pour the custard over the cubed bread, stir in the chocolate chunks and let sit for 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment and spray with nonstick spray. Place the boule on the baking sheet. Pack the custard/bread mixture into the bread bowl. It will protrude a bit--that's a good thing! Mix together the demerara sugar, cinnamon and salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture on the top of the bread pudding. Bake until golden and crusty, 40 to 50 minutes. Let cool slightly.
For the whipped cream: In a cold bowl, mix together the cream, granulated sugar, cinnamon, vanilla paste and salt. Beat to medium peaks.
Cut the bread pudding into "slices" and top with the whipped cream.