This luxurious White Chocolate Bread Pudding is a show-stopping dessert inspired by New Orleans’ famous Palace Cafe. The recipe combines the comforting texture of baked custard with the intense sweetness of white chocolate. French bread is toasted to a perfect crunch before being soaked in a rich mixture of whipping cream, milk, and eggs. The result is a tender, moist pudding with a golden-brown top that melts in your mouth. It is served with a silky white chocolate sauce for an extra layer of indulgence. Perfect for special occasions, holiday gatherings, or whenever you crave a truly decadent treat. The combination of textures and flavors makes this a memorable finale to any meal.
White Chocolate Bread Pudding-The Palace Cafe
Description
This luxurious White Chocolate Bread Pudding is a show-stopping dessert inspired by New Orleans' famous Palace Cafe. The recipe combines the comforting texture of baked custard with the intense sweetness of white chocolate. French bread is toasted to a perfect crunch before being soaked in a rich mixture of whipping cream, milk, and eggs. The result is a tender, moist pudding with a golden-brown top that melts in your mouth. It is served with a silky white chocolate sauce for an extra layer of indulgence. Perfect for special occasions, holiday gatherings, or whenever you crave a truly decadent treat. The combination of textures and flavors makes this a memorable finale to any meal.Ingredients
Directions
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Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Slice the French bread into 1/4 inch pieces.
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Spread the bread slices on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly dried and golden, about 10-15 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool slightly.
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In a double boiler or microwave-safe bowl, melt the 10 ounces of white chocolate. Set aside.
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In a separate heatproof bowl or double boiler, gently warm the whipping cream, milk, sugar, whole eggs, and egg yolks together until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is warm but not hot.
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Slowly pour the warm egg and cream mixture into the melted white chocolate, whisking constantly to create a smooth, homogeneous custard.
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Arrange half of the toasted bread slices in the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
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Pour half of the chocolate custard mixture over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure the bread absorbs the liquid. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
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Layer the remaining bread slices on top and pour the remaining custard mixture over them. Press down gently again.
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Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil.
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Bake at 275 degrees F (135 degrees C) for 1 hour.
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Remove the foil and increase the oven temperature to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C), or keep at 275 if preferred for a slower finish. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden brown and the custard is set.
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While the pudding bakes, prepare the sauce: Gently melt the remaining 8 ounces of white chocolate in a double boiler.
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Remove the chocolate from heat and whisk in the 3 ounces of heavy cream until smooth and glossy.
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Let the bread pudding cool for 10 minutes before serving. Spoon the white chocolate sauce over each serving.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 1198.2kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 73.4g113%
- Saturated Fat 44.5g223%
- Cholesterol 162.5mg55%
- Sodium 355.6mg15%
- Total Carbohydrate 120.4g41%
- Dietary Fiber 2.4g10%
- Sugars 93.0g
- Protein 16.8g34%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Note
For best flavor, use high-quality white chocolate with a good cocoa butter content.
The bread should be slightly stale or toasted to absorb the custard without becoming mushy. Toasting fresh bread works well.
You can assemble this dish ahead of time. Cover and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. Add 10-15 minutes to the baking time if baking from cold.
Leftover bread pudding can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat slices in the microwave or oven before serving.
For garnish, you can add chocolate shavings or a dollop of whipped cream alongside the sauce.
