OLD FASHIONED CHOCOLATE BREAD PUDDING WITH KAHLUA CARAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F
• Begin by buttering 12 small ramekins and dusting with granulated sugar.
• Bread Pudding:
• Heat the milk and cream in a saucepan over medium heat until steamy (DO NOT BOIL).
• Turn off the heat and add the chocolate, salt, vanilla, nutmeg, cinnamon, walnuts and Kahlùa. Stir to mix.
• Whisk the egg yolks in a bowl with the 1/2 cup sugar. Pour into the chocolate mixture. Gently fold in the bread cubes.
• Transfer the pudding mixture to the ramekins (DO NOT OVER FILL - Fill just to the top) and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake until nicely browned and set, about 30 minutes.
• Kahlùa Caramel Sauce:
• Combine sugar, water and cream of tartar in a small saucepan. DO NOT STIR. Bring the mixture to a boil; cook until the caramel browns. When the caramel is medium brown, remove from heat and add cream. Let simmer. Add Kahlua.
• To serve: Ladle some sauce onto each plate, unmold the ramekin, place the pudding on top of the sauce. Serve warm, topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
• Cook's Tip: Other serving versions include serving the pudding warm and topped with a dab of whipped cream OR cold, topped with fresh strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate chips.