America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Slow-Cooker Nutella Bread Pudding

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on October 16, 2019

Time

3 to 4 hours on low

Yield

Serves 8 to 10

Slow cooker size

5 to 7 quarts

Slow-Cooker Nutella Bread Pudding

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream 2 cups whole milk 9 large egg yolks 1 cup Nutella spread ¾ cup (5¼ ounces/149 grams) sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla extract ¾ teaspoon salt 1 pound (454 grams) challah, cut into 1-inch pieces (12 cups), staled overnight¾ cup (4½ ounces/128 grams) chocolate chips

Before You Begin

Hearty white sandwich bread can be substituted for the challah. If you don’t have stale bread, you can dry fresh bread pieces by baking them on a rimmed baking sheet in a 225-degree oven for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Line slow cooker with aluminum foil collar and lightly coat with vegetable oil spray. Whisk cream, milk, egg yolks, Nutella, sugar, vanilla, and salt in large bowl until sugar has dissolved and mixture is well combined. Stir in challah and ½ cup chocolate chips and let sit, pressing on bread occasionally, until custard is mostly absorbed, about 10 minutes.
  2. Transfer challah mixture to prepared slow cooker and spread into even layer. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips. Cover and cook until center of bread pudding is set, 3 to 4 hours on low.
  3. Turn off slow cooker and let bread pudding cool, covered, for 30 minutes. Discard foil collar. Serve.
Slow-Cooker Nutella Bread Pudding
Photography by Daniel J. van Ackere. Styling by Catrine Kelty.

Slow-Cooker Nutella Bread Pudding

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
Save

Time

3 to 4 hours on low

Yield

Serves 8 to 10

Slow cooker size

5 to 7 quarts

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
9 large egg yolks
1 cup Nutella spread
¾ cup (5¼ ounces/149 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon salt
1 pound (454 grams) challah, cut into 1-inch pieces (12 cups), staled overnight
¾ cup (4½ ounces/128 grams) chocolate chips

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
9 large egg yolks
1 cup Nutella spread
¾ cup (5¼ ounces/149 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon salt
1 pound (454 grams) challah, cut into 1-inch pieces (12 cups), staled overnight
¾ cup (4½ ounces/128 grams) chocolate chips

Test Kitchen Techniques

Ingredients

2 cups heavy cream
2 cups whole milk
9 large egg yolks
1 cup Nutella spread
¾ cup (5¼ ounces/149 grams) sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
¾ teaspoon salt
1 pound (454 grams) challah, cut into 1-inch pieces (12 cups), staled overnight
¾ cup (4½ ounces/128 grams) chocolate chips

Test Kitchen Techniques

Why This Recipe Works

Getting the texture of this company-worthy dessert just right was a challenge; early tests yielded mushy or dry puddings. After testing types of bread, we settled on challah for its rich flavor. Using staled bread was key, as it was much better at soaking up our custard. By soaking and pressing the bread into the custard for just 10 minutes prior to cooking we ensured that the bread absorbed the custard evenly. After 3 hours in the slow cooker, we had moist, evenly cooked bread pudding that was definitely luxurious.

Before You Begin

Hearty white sandwich bread can be substituted for the challah. If you don’t have stale bread, you can dry fresh bread pieces by baking them on a rimmed baking sheet in a 225-degree oven for about 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. You will need an oval slow cooker for this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Line slow cooker with aluminum foil collar and lightly coat with vegetable oil spray. Whisk cream, milk, egg yolks, Nutella, sugar, vanilla, and salt in large bowl until sugar has dissolved and mixture is well combined. Stir in challah and ½ cup chocolate chips and let sit, pressing on bread occasionally, until custard is mostly absorbed, about 10 minutes.
  2. Transfer challah mixture to prepared slow cooker and spread into even layer. Sprinkle with remaining ¼ cup chocolate chips. Cover and cook until center of bread pudding is set, 3 to 4 hours on low.
  3. Turn off slow cooker and let bread pudding cool, covered, for 30 minutes. Discard foil collar. Serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.