Ingredients

Pecan Rum Flambe Sauce, optional, recipe follows
8 ounce semisweet chocolate chips
6   eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
2 teaspoon pure almond extract
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup coffee flavored liqueur
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream
3 cup milk
1   (1-lb) loaf French or Italian bread, cut into cubes

Pecan Rum Flambe Sauce:
1 stick butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup dark rum

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Lightly grease a 13 by 9-inch baking dish fill with bread cubes.

In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, cream, and liqueur. In another bowl, combine the granulated and brown sugars with the cocoa powder and mix well. Add the cocoa mixture to the milk mixture and whisk to combine.

In a medium bowl, add the vanilla extract, almond extract, and the cinnamon to the beaten eggs. Combine the egg mixture with the milk mixture and mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour the mixture evenly over the bread cubes; let stand, stirring occasionally, for at least 20 minutes, or until the bread has absorbed most of the milk mixture. Bake the pudding for 1 hour, or until set; a cake tester inserted into the center of the pudding should come out clean.

Serve the pudding warm or cold, with Pecan Rum Flambe, dessert sauce.

Pecan Rum Flambe Sauce:

In a large skillet, melt the stick butter and add brown sugar, stir together. Add the pecans and cook until sugar has caramelized over medium-high heat. Turn off the stove and pour in the rum. Stand back and carefully light with a long lighter. Be careful; a flame will shoot up above the pan. As the alcohol cooks out, the flame will die down. Serve over chocolate bread pudding.

Recipe Courtesy of Paula Deen