Sasha's Kitchen: Chocolate Coconut Bread Pudding

Bread pudding might be one of the most rewarding desserts.  It is beautiful looking, delicious and quite easy to make.  Bread pudding can be made in numerous flavors.  The essential thing is to pick a flavor that will soak nicely into toasted challah or brioche and will bake into a pudding like dessert.  My bread puddings have become almost famous among family and friends who I have served them for.  I frequently get requests to make the following bread pudding from family and friends who come for dinner, and it certainly has become a favorite of my husband's as well.  I love the way the coconut-cream mixture soaks into the bread, and the chocolate ganache topping is perfect, but not overpowering.

Sasha's Chocolate Coconut Bread Pudding (use an 8-9 inch casserole dish to bake)
5 oz bittersweet chocolate
5 large challah rolls
4 egg yolks
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 can lite coconut milk
4 T melted butter
1/4 cup sugar
grated coconut (no sugar added)

-- Derived from Bobby Flay's similar Chocolate Coconut Bread Pudding Recipe

First, tear five large challah or brioche rolls into small pieces.  The rolls should not be fresh - a couple days old is perfect for this recipe.  Belt the butter, top the bread and toast at 350 F degrees in the oven until browned and crispy.

To prepare the pudding component, combine 2/3 of a cup of the heavy cream with the sugar and simmer for a few minutes until the sugar is dissolved.  Remove from the heat, allow to cool for about five minutes, and beat in the egg yolks and coconut extract.  Then, soak the bread in this mixture fully, for about 4-5 minutes.

Place the soaked bread in a casserole dish sprayed with PAM.  In the meantime, melt the chocolate on your stovetop in the remaining 2/3 cup of coconut milk until smooth and combined.  Pour on top of the bread pudding and smooth with a spatula.  Top liberally with the grated coconut.  Bake at 325 F until the pudding has a pudding-like consistency and can be sliced, for about 25 to 30 minutes.  You can use a toothpick or fork to test when it is done.

This is one of my favorite desserts and  I am so glad to share it with our readers!