Decadent Chocolate Pain Perdu
This Decadent Chocolate Pain Perdu is the perfect way to start your Valentine’s Day morning with a touch of indulgence. Inspired by Melissa D'Arabian's delightful recipe from 'Ten Dollar Meals', this French toast transforms simple ingredients into a rich, chocolatey delight that will impress your loved ones. With a smooth custard infused with creamy chocolate, this dish offers a luxurious breakfast experience. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to prepare! Make it ahead of time and bake it fresh on the day for a warm, comforting treat that pairs wonderfully with freshly whipped cream.
4
Servings
500
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
heavy cream
1/2 cup (None)
milk
1/2 cup (None)
sugar
2 tablespoons (None)
butter
1/4 cup (divided) (3 tablespoons melted and 1 tablespoon for greasing)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (None)
kosher salt
1 pinch (None)
semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
1/2 cup (None)
eggs
2 (Beaten)
white bread
6 slices (Crusts removed and cut into triangles)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing your baking dish: use a 9 by 5-inch baking dish and grease it with 1 tablespoon of butter.
2
In a small saucepan over low heat, combine 1/4 cup of heavy cream, milk, sugar, 3 tablespoons of butter, vanilla extract, and a pinch of kosher salt. Heat the mixture until it reaches a simmer.
3
Once simmering, pour the hot cream mixture over the chocolate in a medium bowl. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to allow the chocolate to melt. Stir until fully combined and smooth.
4
Incorporate the beaten eggs into the chocolate mixture, mixing thoroughly until everything is well combined.
5
Line the greased baking dish with the bread triangles, overlapping each slice slightly.
6
Carefully pour the chocolate custard over the arranged bread, ensuring all pieces are coated. Gently press down on the bread to help it absorb the custard.
7
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor absorption.
8
Remove the dish from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before baking.
9
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
10
Bake the Pain Perdu in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the custard is set and the edges of the bread are golden.
11
While it bakes, prepare the whipped cream by adding the remaining heavy cream to a chilled bowl. Whip until soft peaks form.
12
Once the Pain Perdu is done baking, serve warm on individual plates with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.
Nutrition Information
27.5g
Fat
62.5g
Carbs
7.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Decadent Chocolate Pain Perdu?
Decadent Chocolate Pain Perdu is a rich French toast variation featuring a chocolate-infused custard, perfect for a special breakfast or dessert.
Is this recipe suitable for Valentine's Day?
Yes, this recipe is specifically described as a perfect way to start your Valentine’s Day morning with a touch of indulgence.
Who inspired this Chocolate Pain Perdu recipe?
This recipe was inspired by Melissa D'Arabian's recipe from the book 'Ten Dollar Meals'.
What type of bread should I use?
The recipe calls for 6 slices of white bread with the crusts removed and cut into triangles.
How do I prepare the bread slices?
Remove the crusts from the white bread slices and cut them into triangles before arranging them in the baking dish.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dish and refrigerate it overnight to bake fresh the next morning.
How long should the Pain Perdu refrigerate?
It should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours or overnight for the best flavor absorption.
Should the dish sit at room temperature before baking?
Yes, after removing it from the refrigerator, let it sit at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before putting it in the oven.
What is the baking temperature for this recipe?
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) before baking.
How long does it take to bake?
The Pain Perdu takes about 30 minutes to bake, or until the custard is set and the edges are golden.
What size baking dish is required?
A 9 by 5-inch baking dish is recommended for this recipe.
How do I grease the baking dish?
Use 1 tablespoon of butter to grease the 9 by 5-inch baking dish before adding ingredients.
What ingredients are in the chocolate custard?
The custard consists of heavy cream, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla extract, kosher salt, chocolate, and beaten eggs.
How do I melt the chocolate for the custard?
Simmer the cream, milk, sugar, butter, vanilla, and salt, then pour the hot mixture over the chocolate and let it sit for 5 minutes before stirring.
When do I add the eggs?
Incorporate the beaten eggs into the chocolate mixture after the chocolate has been melted and stirred smooth.
Can I use chocolate chips?
Yes, you can use 1/2 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 500 calories.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 27.5g of fat per serving in this dish.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving provides 7.5g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 62.5g of carbohydrates per serving.
What should I serve with the Chocolate Pain Perdu?
It is best served warm with a dollop of freshly whipped cream.
How do I make the whipped cream topping?
Whip the remaining heavy cream in a chilled bowl until soft peaks form while the dish is baking.
Is this dish considered breakfast or dessert?
While categorized as breakfast, its indulgent nature also makes it suitable as a dessert.
Can I use vanilla extract?
Yes, the recipe requires 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for the custard.
Is kosher salt necessary?
The recipe calls for a pinch of kosher salt to enhance the flavor of the chocolate.
Why should I press down on the bread?
Gently pressing down on the bread helps it better absorb the chocolate custard.
How many ingredients are needed in total?
The recipe requires 9 main ingredients.
What is the recipe category?
The category for this recipe is Breakfast.
How do I know when the Pain Perdu is done baking?
It is finished when the custard is fully set and the edges of the bread have turned golden.