Chocolate Coconut Bread Pudding

Here in Utah we have a local favorite place to eat called Kneaders.  It's kind of a bakery/cafe type that's real homemade.  A few years ago I stopped in to one of the locations and decided to try their German Chocolate Bread Pudding, because I have a hard time resisting things with chocolate and coconut, and I was in heaven!!  It was one of the most delicious things I have ever tasted.  I have only been back once to have it again and I have sorely missed it. 

When we moved to our current house I decided to give it a try at the one closer to us, but it was not the same.  Needless to say, I was disappointed but I set out, bound and determined, to make my own that was equally delicious.   I searched for a while but was never satisfied with what I found, until one day I was back in to Kneaders for lunch.  I got the girl behind the counter chatting about the bread pudding and she gave away some of the secrets about each of their flavors.  When she mentioned that the chocolate coconut one was made with croissants it was like a light went off in my head.  That was what I needed to finish my recipe that I had started.

So, without further delay, I give you this delicious dessert you are sure to crave as much as I have.

Chocolate Coconut Bread Pudding
4-5 large croissants, day old (*I always look for them first on the day-old bakery rack, you'll get them cheaper too!)
1/2 cup full-fat coconut milk, plus more for drizzling
3/4 cup half and half or heavy cream
4 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla (can add a drop or two of coconut extract if you want more coconut flavor)
1/2 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips, plus more for sprinkling
1/2 cup shredded, sweetened coconut
shaved coconut for garnish, if desired


Spray a 9-inch or similar baking dish with cooking spray (I happened to use an 8.5x11-inch baking dish). Cut croissants into chunks and place in prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle 1/2 cup chocolate chips and 1/2 cup shredded coconut over the croissants.  Shake the pan a little so they can distribute a little.

In a mixing bowl, whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugar and vanilla.  Pour over the top of croissants, pushing them down into the milk mixture a little bit to get them soaking it up.  Let it stand about 10-30 minutes.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bake in preheated oven about 25-30 minutes.  *Optional: While bread pudding is baking, put a handful of shaved coconut in a skillet and toast until lightly golden.  Set aside.

When bread pudding is done cooking, remove from oven and sprinkle a small handful of chocolate chips over the top as well as the toasted coconut. Allow to cool.  Serve warm with an extra drizzle of coconut milk, if desired.