Many of us on Valentine’s Day indulge in some sort of chocolate dessert.  My husband and I prefer the warm gooey kind of chocolate as compared to a Forest Gump box of chocolates.  Mr. 25thHG’s favorite dessert is Chocolate Chunk Bread Pudding.  I like the fact that the recipe is from Cooking Light (fewer calories) and that it is something you can make ahead.  Mr. 25thHG likes the fact that it is amazing!

Ingredients:
1 3/4 cups Hawaiian Sweet Bread (cut into 1/2″ cubes)
2/3 cup 2% reduced-fat Milk
2 Tablespoons Sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoons unsweetened Cocoa
1 Tablespoon Kahlua
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
1 Large Egg (lightly beaten)
Cooking Spray
1 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate, coarsely chopped (Dark Chocolate is great too)
2 Tablespoons frozen fat-free whipped topping, thawed

Yield – 2 Servings (Go ahead and double it, you will be glad you did!)

Preparation: Preheat over to 350°

• Cube bread and arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350° for 5 minutes or until toasted.  Remove bread cubes from oven; decrease oven temperature to 325°

• Combine milk and next 5 ingredients (milk through egg) in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk.  Make sure you whisk the mixture well to incorporate the cocoa.  Add bread, tossing gently to coat.  Cover and chill 30 minutes or up to 4 hours.

• Prepare 2 (6 oz.) ramekins with cooking spray.
• Divide half of bread mixture evenly between the ramekins.  Sprinkle evenly with half of the chocolate.  Divide remaining bread mixture between ramekins; top with remaining chocolate
• Place ramekins in a 8-inch baking pan; add hot water to pan to a depth of 1 inch.
• Bake at 325° for 35 minutes or until set.
• Serve warm with a tablespoon of whipped topping

Here are a few tips….

• Two rolls cubed will give you about 2 cups of bread cubes
• I will usually put the bread pudding together before dinner and put it in the refrigerator until we are ready for dessert
• Sometimes I chop up a chocolate bar and sometimes I use Dark Chocolate chunks (sold in bags like chocolate chips).  We actually prefer dark chocolate instead of the semi-sweet.  If I use the chunks, I still chop about about 1/3 of them in half.

• This dessert is great with a nice glass of red wine
• I also usually use real whipped cream if I have it.  Yes…. I know this adds calories but I only put a little on each bread pudding and it is really, really good!

So, did Cupid like chocolate?  No, we have the Aztecs and the Cadbury Brothers to thank for chocolate.  I think most of us are just happy to enjoy it regardless of who sent the first box of chocolates.

Hope you have a fantastic Valentine’s Day!

25th Hour Gal