Mexican Chocolate Bread Pudding

I love Mexican hot chocolate. Its spicy, savory and sweet. I have lots of fond memories of drinking it while waiting to go into concerts in Los Angeles. This is my take on a classic dessert, but with a Mexican twist. If you aren't crazy about putting cayenne into your bread pudding, you can leave it out.

Ingredients:

2 large whole eggs

3 egg yolks

3/4 cups sugar

2 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper

3 cups half-and-half

1 cup milk

2 ounces espresso, slightly cooled

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

I loaf Challah bread, cut into 1-inch cubes

6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips

1. In a blender, add the eggs and egg yolks and blend for about 30 seconds on low speed. While the blender is running slowly add all the sugar for about 30 seconds. Add the chocolate powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper and blend for another 30 seconds. Next add the half-and-half, milk, espresso and vanilla extract and blend till just thoroughly combined.
2. Butter 13 x 9 inch baking dish, with 1 tablespoon of the butter. Place the challah bread in the buttered dish and then sprinkle the chocolate chips on top. Next add the custard mixture over the challah bread. Using a spatula, press the bread down so all the mixture gets soaked up. Leave at room temperature for about 2 hours or 8 hours in the refrigerator.
3. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and bake the bread pudding for about 45 minutes. Remove from oven and turn on the oven broiler. Brush 1 tablespoon of melted butter on top of the bread pudding and place back in the oven till its nice and golden brown, which will be quick, so don't walk away! Let the bread pudding rest for about 15-20 minutes and serve warm. Enjoy!

Challah bread!

Place the eggs and egg yolks in the blender. While the blender is running, slowly add the sugar.

Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon and cayenne pepper and blend for another 30 seconds.

Next add the half-and-half, milk, espresso, and vanilla till just combined.

Butter a large dish.

Place the cubed Challah bread in the dish.

Add the chocolate chips on top.

Next add the custard mix and thoroughly soak all of the bread in it.

Brush the butter on top and brown under the broiler. Serve warm.