This recipe comes from Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop in Boston.
Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop is a really incredible little place housed in one of Boston’s oldest surviving residences, the Clough House, which was built in 1713!
It’s part of the Old North Church & Historic Site (Old North Church is where Paul Revere sent church sexton Robert Newman and Captain John Pulling, Jr. to the top of the steeple with two lanterns on April 18, 1775 to signal that British troops were approaching Lexington and Concord–you know, “One if by land and two if by sea”–and started the American Revolution.)
Old North Church & Historic Site is such a cool place–it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Boston and receives nearly half a million visitors annually. Its campus is composed of the famous 18th century church, five gardens, the Old North Gift Shop and colonial print and chocolate shops, the Printing Office of Edes & Gill and, of course, Captain Jackson’s Historic Chocolate Shop. So. If you’re heading to Boston, definitely put it on your must-visit list!! But let’s get back to bread pudding. Because treats, y’all. You’ll need some tart baking apples (I used Granny Smith), dried cranberries, brown sugar, butter, cinnamon, milk or half and half, some bread (brioche or challah are great choices), and 1 block of AMERICAN HERITAGE ® Chocolate Block. If you’re not familiar with their chocolate, it’s a really cool, unique chocolate made how chocolate was made in Colonial America.
It’s got hints of spices and orange zest and it’s incredibly delicious–you can find it at select historical locations or you can buy it online here. We’re also running a contest right now over on Instagram, so be sure and enter! https://www.instagram.com/p/BbN6sr8lAu8/?taken-by=sara_ourbestbites Anyway. Grease a 9×13″ baking pan and set aside. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the bread into 1″ cubes and set aside Add milk or half and half to a small saucepan
and add 1/4 cup butter cut into pieces. Heat over medium-low heat until the butter melts (right before the milk/half and half boils.) Remove from heat and set aside. Peel and dice the apples. Shave or grate the chocolate block.
While the milk is heating, combine the cubed bread, brown sugar,
cranberries,
apples, and chocolate.
Place the mixture in the prepared pan. When the milk mixture has almost come to a boil, remove from heat and pour evenly over the bread mixture. Toss to combine so the bread has all started to absorb the milk mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Serve warm
with whipped cream or ice cream; if desired, garnish with cranberries and chocolate.
