Chocolate Bread Pudding

1. 1

   Generously butter a 2 1/2- to 3-quart souffle dish.

2. 2

   Put bread in dish.

3. 3

   Heat half-and-half, sugar, and salt in a 2-quart saucepan over moderate heat, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and mixture is hot but not boiling.

4. 4

   Remove from heat and add chocolate, then let stand 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Whisk until smooth.

6. 6

   Lightly beat eggs together in a large bowl and slowly add chocolate mixture, whisking until combined.

7. 7

   Stir in vanilla.

8. 8

   Pour mixture over bread and let soak at room temperature, pressing bread down occasionally, 1 hour.

9. 9

   Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 325F.

10. 10

    Dot top of pudding with butter bits.

11. 11

    Bake in a hot water bath until edge is set but center still trembles slightly, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

12. 12

    Cool pudding to warm in dish on a rack.

13. 13

    (Pudding will continue to set as it cools.)

No additional tips available.