posted by glenda 02-12-102 7:25 AM 
 
Chocolate Bread Pudding 
3 cups milk 
1 cup half & half 
3/4 cup sugar 
1 8 ounce package semisweet chocolate chips 
1/3 cup Iris whiskey 
4 large egg yolks 
1 tablesoon butter 
1 teaspoon vanilla 
1/8 teaspoon salt 
1 (1 pound) loaf Challah or French bread, cut into 1 inch cubes 
Heat oven to 350. Grease a 2 quart baking dish and set aside. 
In a 6 quart saucepan, combine milk and half and half. Bring to a simmer over medium low heat, stirring occasionally. Add sugar and chocolate; stir until melted. Bring mixture to a boil, cook 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in whiskey. 
Beat egg yolks in a small bowl and slowly whisk in 1/4 cup of milk mixture. Whisk egg mixture in remaining milk mixture until well combined and thickened. Stir in butter, vanilla and salt. Fold in bread; spoon pudding into dish. Let soak 1 hour at room temperature. Bake until knife inserted in the center comes out clean, about 50 minutes. 
To serve, spoon into bowls; garnish with shaved chocolate and sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired.