A gloriously rich chocolate bread pudding, made light with a secret ingredient...avocado. It's finished off with a maple rum sauce. Thanks to California Avocados for sponsoring this post and helping me to share this recipe with you.
No, your eyes aren't deceiving you. I did say chocolate AVOCADO bread pudding. You think I've lost my mind, right? Taken up paddle up the funny river? Suffering from a marble deficiency? I promise that I am still of sound mind (well, as much as I usually am, anyways).
So, what's with the California avocado in the bread pudding? If you've ever had bread pudding, you know that it is a rich, tender and pretty heavy dessert. What typically makes it so heavy is a boatload of butter and full-fat milk (or even cream). Oh yeah, and a not-so-small dose of sugar.
So, I got to thinking. How do I lighten up bread pudding without losing the glorious texture and flavor?
*Lightbulb!*
Avocados contain healthy fats, while also providing beneficial carotenoids and boasting a cholesterol-free status. And yet, they have that lovely creamy texture.
Out with the butter, in with the avocado. I blended half of a California avocado with fat-free evaporated milk (the kind in the can), some skim milk, unsweetened cocoa powder and a couple of eggs. Instead of sugar, I used maple syrup to mirror the maple flavor in the sauce and added a splash of dark rum (that's always a good thing!) The bread soaked up the mixture, giving it a tender, decadent consistency when baked.
And what is bread pudding without a boozy, sweet sauce drizzled over top? That's a rhetorical question, of course.
Maple syrup just screams "Autumn!" and I love that is a natural sweetener, which makes is a good alternative to granulated sugar.
Bourbon would be a natural combination with maple syrup, but I couldn't resist the idea of pouring in some dark rum instead. I think that's my mum's Jamaican roots speaking. It speaks, I listen.
It's time to dive in!
Other avocado recipes:
Cookin' Canuck's Mini Guacamole & Tomato Olive Cups {Healthy Snack}
Cookin' Canuck's Quinoa, Blueberry & Avocado Salad
Created By Diane's Avocado Cheesecake with Pistachio Crust
Dine & Dish' Lavash with Hot Spinach Avocado Dip
A Southern Fairytale's Guacamole Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Jalapeños
I Wash, You Dry's Spicy Guacamole Bacon Burger
Average Betty's Grilled Chicken Banh Mi with Avocado Cucumber Relish
Light Chocolate Avocado Bread Pudding with Maple Rum Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
The Bread Pudding:
- ¾ cup evaporated fat-free milk
- ⅔ cup skim milk
- ½ California avocado
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons dark rum
- 5 cups cubed crusty whole wheat bread
The sauce:
- ½ cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons dark rum
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 4 tablespoons half-and-half divided
- pinch of salt
Instructions
The Bread Pudding:
- In a blender, combine the evaporated milk, skim milk and avocado. Puree until smooth.
- Add the eggs, cocoa powder, maple syrup and dark rum. Puree until combined.
- Place the bread cubes in a large bowl and pour the avocado mixture over the bread. Stir to completely coat the bread.
- Lightly coat an 8- by 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray. Transfer the bread mixture to the baking pan, cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Place the baking pan in a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Pour hot water into the large baking dish until it reaches about 1-inch up the side of the smaller baking pan.
- Bake until a sharp knife inserted in the center of the bread pudding comes out clean, 35 to 40 minutes.
- Cut into 9 pieces. Serve each piece with 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons of the sauce.
The Sauce:
- In a small saucepan, combine the maple syrup, rum and butter. Bring to a boil of medium-high heat, whisking frequently.
- Add 3 tablespoons of half-and-half, reduce to a simmer and cook, whisking frequently, until the sauce starts to thicken, 7 to 8 minutes.
- Remove from the heat and whisk in the remaining tablespoon of half-and-half and the salt.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
SeattleDee
This sounds weirdly tempting and now tops the Must-Try List. If an overripe avocado would work as well as a firm, just-ripe one, this dish could become a weekly brunch item.
Nicole
I love that you used avocados in this bread pudding!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts
I have been wanting to use avocado in desserts, I need to do it soon! This looks incredible, and I love the maple rum sauce!
naomi
Bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts, so I LOVE that you lightened it up with avocado. What a great idea!!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective
Dara, you are a genius!! I bet the avocado adds amazing texture.
Amy @Very Culinary
OMG, Dara. I was JUST telling someone last night that avocado is great in cakes. They didn't believe me. I'm totally sending this link to them! Chocolate Avocado Bread Pudding FTW.
Norma+|+Allspice+and+Nutmeg
This is brilliant. I must try this. Pinned!
Jenny @ The Peachy Pair
I am usually indifferent when it comes to bread pudding, but this looks amazing!
Millie l Add A Little
This looks amazing! I love avocado in desserts to give it a creamy richness!
leslie
OK..this is the 2nd chocolate avocado recipe I have seen today...I MUST TRY!
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel
This is such a great balance of healthy and indulgent!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
So funny - we're on the same page today! I've been working on low carb, high protein, super creamy smoothies and made mine with avocado today instead of the usual banana. LOVE what you've done with this!!! Healthy fats for the win. 🙂
Sharana @ Living The Sweet Life Blog
YUM! YUM! YUM! Now really, how can you go wrong with chocolate and rum - and I can only imagine how smooth the bread pudding is, with the addition of the avocado!!
Ali+|+Gimme+Some+Oven
YES! I so love that you snuck an avocado in there. And that sauce sounds amazing!