Chocolate and Pear Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• 15 slices of sliced bread (600-625 g) torn into pieces This recipe is perfect for using up leftover bread! You can also use half white and half whole wheat bread.
• 500 ml (2 cups) milk (divided: 250 ml [1 cup] + 250 ml [1 cup])
• 125 ml (½ cup) plain yogurt
• 125 ml (½ cup) brown sugar
• 10 ml (2 tsp) vanilla
• 3 eggs
• 2 ripe pears, peeled and diced Can be substituted with peaches, apples or plums
• 80 ml (1/3 cup) chocolate chips Can be substituted with chopped raisins or dried cranberries
• 1 pinch salt
• 10 ml (2 tsp) sugar

Preparation

1. Place oven rack in the middle position and preheat the oven to 160 °C (325 °F). Oil an 8-inch square baking dish or cover with parchment paper. 
2. In a large bowl, add the bread and pour half of the milk (250 ml / 1 cup) over the top. Set aside. 
3. In another large bowl, mix the other half of the milk (250 ml / 1 cup) with the yogurt, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, pears, chocolate chips and salt. 
4. Pour this mixture over the bread and stir thoroughly.
5. Pour the preparation into the baking dish, sprinkle the sugar on top and bake for 70 minutes, or until the centre is firm. 
6. Allow to cool before removing the pudding from the baking dish. Cut into 16 cubes (4 x 4).