Smoked Chocolate Bread Pudding | Bar-B-Clean

Ingredients

• 1 loaf (1 pound) brioche, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 8 cups)
• 3 cups heavy (whipping) cream
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1½ cups sugar
• Pinch of salt
• 1 vanilla bean (optional—for an even smokier flavor, use a smoked vanilla bean)
• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 4 large eggs
• 2 large egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (1½ teaspoons if not using the vanilla bean)
• Butter, for buttering the skillet
• Smoked Ice Cream (use vanilla), for serving (optional)