Chocolate Bread & Butter Pudding

Method

1. Remove the crusts from the bread and cut each slice in half.
2. Break the chocolate into pieces and place in a large bowl with the cream, butter and sugar.
3. Place over a pan of simmering water (make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl).
4. Once the butter and chocolate has melted, remove the bowl from the pan and stir well to combine all the ingredients.
5. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and then pour the chocolate mixture over them, stirring continuously.
6. Lightly butter an ovenproof dish (approx 18x20x5cm).
7. Pour approx 1cm of the chocolate mixture into the base of the dish and arrange so the bread triangles over the chocolate in overlapping rows so they fit snugly.
8. Pour the remaining chocolate mixture over the bread, pressing down gently to ensure it is evenly covered.
9. Cover and allow to sit for 1 hour.
10. Preheat the oven to 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 4 Remove cover and bake in a preheated oven for approx 40minutes. Serve hot or cold with cream, custard* or ice cream*.