Chocolate Bread Pudding

Instructions

1. Chop the chocolate into ¼-in (6-mm) chunks. Reserve ⅓ cup and set aside (you'll use this for sprinkling over the bread pudding before baking).
2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, and cocoa powder. Add the butter and bring to a boil. Off the heat, add the remaining chocolate, bourbon and cinnamon and whisk until smooth.
3. In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, salt, and vanilla extract. Very gradually, pour the hot chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking vigorously to combine (pour slowly, especially at the beginning, or the hot chocolate mixture will scramble the eggs). Add the bread cubes to the custard; cover and let soak in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
4. Preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a 2-qt (2L) baking dish with butter or nonstick cooking spray. Transfer the chocolate bread mixture to the prepared baking dish. Scatter the reserved chocolate over top, then use a spoon to push about half of the chocolate bits down into the pudding. Bake until slightly puffed and set in the center, about 45 to 55 minutes. Let cool about 10 minutes, then serve warm with vanilla ice cream.