White Chocolate Bread Pudding

6 cups heavy whipping cream

2 cups whole milk

1 cup sugar

20 ounces white chocolate, chips or small pieces

4 whole eggs

15 egg yolks

24-inch loaf of stale French bread (Or fresh bread, sliced and dried in 275� oven)

White Chocolate Ganache

� cup heavy whipping cream

8 ounces white chocolate pieces

1 ounce dark chocolate, grated for garnish

For pudding, stir together whipping cream, milk, and sugar in a large heavy saucepot. Bring mixture to a boil, then remove from heat and carefully add white chocolate pieces. Allow chocolate to melt for several minutes, then stir until smooth. Whisk together whole eggs and egg yolks in a large mixing bowl. Slowly pour hot cream and chocolate mixture into the eggs in a steady stream, whisking constantly as you pour. Use a rubber spatula to scrape all contents from the warm pot. Set pudding aside.

Preheat oven to 350�. Thinly slice stale French bread and place in a 9X12 metal baking pan. Pour half of the pudding over the bread and allow to cool for about 5 minutes. Use your fingers or a rubber spatula to press the bread into the pudding so that the liquid is absorbed and the bread becomes very soggy. Pour the remaining pudding oven the bread and stir. Cover the pan with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes, or until bread pudding is golden brown.

While bread pudding is baking, make white chocolate ganache by bringing cream to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and carefully add white chocolate. Allow chocolate to melt for several minutes, then stir until smooth.

Warm bread pudding may be served spooned right out of the pan, or cut into slices. If serving in slices, chill bread pudding for 6-8 hours to allow to fully set. Loosen the sides from the pan with a knife and invert onto a cutting surface. Cut into squares and then into triangular slices. Place bread pudding slices on a cookie sheet and heat in 275� oven for 15 minutes, or until warm. Serve topped with warm white chocolate ganache and garnish with dark chocolate shavings.

Serves 12