Ingredients

  • 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 (12-inch) loaf brioche, crust removed, cut into 1 1/2-inch dice (about 10 cups)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 cups heavy cream
  • 2 cups unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped out, bean and seeds reserved
  • 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, such as Valrhona Manjari 64%, finely chopped
  • 4 large eggs
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • Coconut Anglaise (recipe follows)
  • Passion Fruit Sauce (recipe follows)
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk
  • 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise, seeds scraped out, bean and seeds reserved
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3/4 cup passion fruit juice
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup fresh orange juice
  • 2 tablespoons white rum

Method

  • To make the ganache, put the chocolate in a small heatproof bowl.
  • Bring the cream to a simmer in a small saucepan, and pour it over the chocolate.
  • Let sit for 30 seconds; then whisk until smooth.
  • Keep warm.
  • To make the bread pudding, preheat the oven to 325F.
  • Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper, add the diced bread, drizzle with the butter, and toss to coat.
  • Bake, tossing the cubes several times, until light golden brown, about 12 minutes.
  • Let cool slightly.
  • Combine the cream, coconut milk, sugar, and vanilla bean and seeds in a medium saucepan, and bring to a simmer over high heat.
  • Whisk until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Remove from the heat, add the chopped chocolate, and whisk until melted.
  • Strain into a clean bowl.
  • Whisk the eggs and yolks together in a medium bowl, and slowly whisk in the warm chocolate mixture.
  • Scatter half of the bread cubes over the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  • Pour half of the chocolate custard on top, then half of the ganache.
  • Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the coconut.
  • Press down on the bread to allow the liquid to soak in.
  • Scatter the remaining bread cubes over the top, add the remaining custard and ganache, and again press down to submerge the bread.
  • Top with the remaining 1/2 cup coconut, cover, and let sit for at least 30 minutes to allow the bread to soak up the custard mixture.
  • Place the baking dish in a larger roasting pan and fill the roasting pan with warm water until it comes halfway up the sides of the baking dish.
  • Place the roasting pan in the oven and bake until the sides of the pudding are slightly puffy and the center is slightly set but still jiggles a bit, about 40 minutes.
  • Remove the baking dish from the water bath, place it on a wire rack, and let it sit for at least 20 minutes before serving.
  • To serve, spoon some of the Coconut Anglaise into a bowl, drizzle with some of the Passion Fruit Sauce, and top with a large scoop of the bread pudding.
  • Combine the milk, coconut milk, and vanilla bean and seeds in a small saucepan, and bring to a simmer.
  • Meanwhile, prepare an ice bath in a large bowl.
  • Whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium bowl until pale.
  • Slowly whisk in the warm milk mixture until combined.
  • Remove the vanilla bean, return the mixture to the pan over medium heat, and cook, stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture coats the back of the spoon, about 4 minutes.
  • Immediately strain the mixture into a bowl and then set the bowl in the ice bath to chill.
  • Once the anglaise is cool, cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.
  • Pour the passion fruit juice into a small saucepan.
  • Add the sugar, orange juice, and rum, and cook over high heat until the sugar has melted and the sauce has thickened, 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Transfer to a bowl and chill in the refrigerator.