Chocolate Bread Pudding

Happy Valentine's Day, Kenny & MaeMae!

1 (1 pound) loaf of French bread, cubed

6 eggs, lightly beaten

2 1/2 cups milk  

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup coffee, brewed strong 

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 teaspoons almond extract

1 cup sugar

1 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

-In a large bowl whisk eggs then add milk, heavy cream, coffee and extracts. Whisk until combined.

-In a separate bowl combine: sugars, coco powder and cinnamon and stir until combine and coco powder is fine. Then add to egg mixture.

-Add cubed bread to egg mixture. Lightly toss until each bread cube is coated. Allow to sit for 10-20 minutes for bread to soak up liquid.

-Transfer bread mixture to a 9x13 baking dish coated w/ cooking spray. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or until center is set (knife comes out clean).

Note: I always cook mine in a water bath. If you do not have a large enough pan that the 9x13 will fit in, cover the bread pudding for the first 30 minutes of cooking time.

-Top w/ hot fudge sauce, whipping cream or both :)