Chocolate chip bread pudding

Halved this recipe

• Cut 1/2 a big loaf of bread (with crust) into 1-inch cubes
• Put bread in large bowl. Pour 4 tbsp melted butter over bread and toss to coat.
• Butter 8x8 glass baking dish
• Transfer bread to baking dish. While doing so, pour in 1/2 cup chocolate chips through the layers of the bread
• Whisk 1.25 cups half and half, 1/2 cup sugar, 3 large eggs, 2 large egg yolks, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, and pinch of salt in large bowl to blend. Pour over bread cubes in dish.
  • replaced half and half with the 2% milk I had. Seemed not to be a problem, though I’d like to try it again with the heavier stuff.
  • extracting the yolk wasn’t so bad, used the passing between shells method
• Let stand 30 minutes, occasionally pressing bread cubes into custard. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• When ready to cook
  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • Drizzle 1-2 tbsp melted butter over pudding
  • Sprinkle with 1-2 tbsp brown sugar
  • Bake bread pudding until puffed, brown, and set in center: ~45 mins.

I’ve tried making a vanilla sauce to go with this. It was good, but the bread pudding just didn’t need it.