Chocolate Cranberry Bread Pudding

Note from Cheri: The following text and recipe is re-printed with permission from A Year in Chocolate by Alice Medrich, published by Warner Books, 2001. Click here for more information about this book as well as more sample recipes.

My family is passionate about Thanksgiving. Our custom of eating desserts for breakfast for as many days as possible requires the production of three times the number of pies or puddings needed for the Big Meal. Desserts must be divine but not so rich that the sated cannot partake after a sumptuous dinner, and must pass the breakfast test, too. Apple pie is obvious, but I wanted something chocolate.

1 loaf (16 oz.) challah or brioche bread 8 tablespoons melted unsalted butter (1 stick) 2 cups fresh or dried cranberries 1 2/3 cups milk 1 cup heavy cream scant cup sugar 14 oz. bittersweet or semisweet chocolate 7 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract lightly sweetened whipped cream or crème fraiche (optional) Equipment 13x9-inch glass or earthenware baking dish or two 9-inch glass pie pans, buttered

Serves 12-14 Position the rack in the lower third of the oven. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Tear the loaves into large shreds, about 2x3/4 inches. To do this, pinch a piece of bread at the top of the loaf and start pulling. If the loaf is sliced, tear the slices. Spread the shreds on a large baking sheet and bake until lightly toasted, about 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and immediately drizzle melted butter over the bread. Sprinkle the cranberries over the bread. Top with remaining bread. Set aside. In a heavy saucepan, heat the milk, cream, and sugar to a simmer. Off heat, add the chocolate and stir until melted and smooth. In a medium bowl, whisk the eggs and vanilla. Add the chocolate mixture to the eggs, stirring until well blended. Pour the mixture over the bread, making sure the top layer of bread is completely moistened. Cover the pan loosely with a piece of foil. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and bake 15 minutes more, or until the pudding bubbles vigorously around the edges although the center is very liquid if the pan is jiggled. Remove the pudding from the oven (it will continue to thicken) and cool on a rack. Serve warm, at room temperature, or cold, plain or with a dab of whipped cream or crème fraiche.