Chocolate Orange Brioche Bread Pudding

“Toasting the brioche in the oven is a key step to the recipe. It helps to dry out the bread, which makes it even better at soaking up the custard for a moist, cake-like texture,” shares Tom Filippou, executive chef for President's Choice Cooking School. “To make this more indulgent, serve it with vanilla bean ice cream or freshly whipped cream and garnish with a sprinkling of dark chocolate shavings.”

• Ready In: 1 hr 30 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• 1  brioche bread, loaf cut into 1-inch cubes
• 8  large eggs
• 1 1⁄4 cups homogenized milk
• 1  cup  35% cream
• 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
• 1⁄4 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1  tablespoon  grated orange zest
• 1⁄4 cup  fresh orange juice
• 1  tablespoon  orange-flavored liqueur
• 1  teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (500 g) package  pc dark chocolate with  candied orange peel, finely chopped
• 2  tablespoons  piece pure orange marmalade
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons water

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread brioche in single layer on parchment paper-lined large baking sheet. Bake, stirring once, until golden; about 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, whisk together eggs, milk, cream, granulated sugar, brown sugar, orange zest, orange juice, liqueur, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in large bowl until well combined.
3. Spread a third of the brioche in bottom of a 9-cup (2.25 litre) casserole dish and sprinkle with a third of the chocolate. Repeat layers twice with remaining brioche and chocolate. Pour egg mixture over top, gently pressing down on brioche mixture to moisten.
4. Cover with foil; bake 35 minutes. Uncover, bake until puffed, golden brown and set in centre, about 30 to 35 minutes, covering with foil if top begins to overbrown.
5. Stir together marmalade and water in small bowl; brush on bread pudding. Let cool 20 minutes.