Luxurious Brioche and White Chocolate Bread and Butter Pudding

Written by
Elaine Lemm
Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.
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Elaine Lemm
Updated 09/29/20
Brioche Bread and Butter Pudding

The Spruce / Elaine Lemm
Prep: 30 mins
Cook: 45 mins
Total: 75 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
461 Calories
34g Fat
30g Carbs
10g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 6
Amount per serving
Calories 461
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34g 43%
Saturated Fat 19g 97%
Cholesterol 210mg 70%
Sodium 142mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 3g 11%
Protein 10g
Calcium 127mg 10%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

An old family favorite, bread and butter pudding continues to delight, just as it has for centuries. Using old bread and adding a few other simple ingredients (usually milk, eggs, sugar, and dried fruit) makes a cheap, filling, and tasty dessert.

Bread and butter puddings have never truly gone out of fashion, unlike many other dishes, probably because of its versatility. In this luxurious version, instead of stale white bread, use a buttery, light brioche. Added to that are the usual ingredients to make the custardy sauce, with the addition of white chocolate for even more decadence.

This easy recipe gives the good old bread and butter pudding a distinct lift. You can serve with custard as well, but the dish works on its own and may not need it at all.

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Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 10 slices buttery brioche bread (each cut into 4 triangles)
  • 2 ounces/55 g golden raisins (sultanas)
  • 12 fluid ounces/350 ml milk
  • 2 fluid ounces/50 ml heavy cream (or double cream)
  • 50 grams white cooking chocolate (chopped into small pieces)
  • 3 large eggs (free-range)
  • 1 ounce/25 g white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or vanilla bean pod)
  • Optional: Splash cognac or brandy

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Preheat the oven 355 F/180 C/Gas 4.

  3. Lightly grease a 2-pint/1-liter pie dish with butter.

  4. Layer overlapping triangles of brioche into the dish and sprinkle with the raisins.

  5. Pour the milk and cream into a pot and heat gently on the stove. Bring the liquid to a gentle simmer and take care not to boil the liquid. Add the chocolate and stir until melted.

  6. Beat the eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a large baking bowl. Keep whisking until the mixture is light, airy, and paler in color.

  7. Still whisking, slowly add the warmed milk, cream, and chocolate mixture to the sugar and eggs. Continue whisking until all the milk is added and the sauce is combined. 

  8. Slowly pour the sauce over the brioche. Don't rush this step or the sauce will not have time to be absorbed by the bread. Once you have finished pouring, gently press the surface of the brioche to push it down into the sauce. Leave the pudding to stand for about 20 minutes. 

  9. Add the liquor, if using. Bake the pudding in the hot oven for 40 to 45 minutes. The pudding is ready when it is well risen and the bread is a dark golden brown. Serve hot.

  10. Enjoy.

Tip

If using a vanilla pod instead of the extract, split the pod open and scrape out the seeds. Add the seeds to the milk and cream before heating. Leave to infuse for 5 minutes before straining the milk over the beaten eggs.