If you’re a fan of rich, comforting desserts that feel like a warm hug, you’re going to fall head over heels for this Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe. Imagine that classic tres leches magic soaked into soft cubes of brioche, with melty chocolate chips adding extra little bursts of happiness. Seriously, this recipe is fan-freaking-tastic and perfect whether you’re treating yourself on a chilly evening or impressing guests at your next get-together. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through every step so you nail it perfectly.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Bread Choice: Using brioche gives a soft, buttery texture that soaks up the milky custard beautifully without turning mushy.
Balanced Sweetness: The classic tres leches milks combined with controlled sugar create that iconic sweet creaminess without being overpowering.
Chocolate Chip Surprise: Semi-sweet chocolate chips add just the right amount of melty decadence for a fun twist.
Simple Technique: Whisking the custard smooth and gently folding the bread ensures every bite is evenly soaked and tender.

Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips, Tres Leches Bread Pudding, Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips, Easy Tres Leches Dessert, Moist Brioche Bread Pudding - A white oval dish holds a baked bread pudding with layers of golden brown, toasted bread pieces that have a slightly crunchy texture, scattered generously with dark chocolate chips that add a rich contrast. The pudding is topped with a light drizzle of white glaze, giving a shiny and smooth finish. The dish sits on a white marbled surface with part of a soft white cloth in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The magic of this Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe lies in how each ingredient plays its role: the richness of egg yolks creating a custard base, three types of milk delivering that lush tres leches flavor, and the brioche soaking it all up just right. Shopping tip? Choose whole milk and quality evaporated and condensed milks – these make a huge difference in flavor and creaminess.

Egg yolks: They thicken the custard beautifully and add a silky texture you just can’t get with whole eggs.
Whole milk: Balances richness and adds freshness to the custard.
Evaporated milk: Concentrated milk flavor without added sweetness.
Sweetened condensed milk: Provides the signature sweet, creamy base of tres leches desserts.
Granulated sugar: Enhances sweetness but keeps flavor balanced.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and rounds out all the milk flavors.
Sea salt: Just a pinch to deepen sweetness and balance flavors.
Brioche bread: Soft but sturdy brioche soaks up custard perfectly but keeps structure.
Semi-sweet chocolate chips: Little pockets of melty chocolate to add a fun unexpected twist.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best things about this Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe is just how easy it is to mix in your favorites or tweak to dietary preferences. I love swapping out chocolate chips for chopped nuts sometimes—it adds a lovely crunch. You should absolutely feel free to make it your own.

Variation: I’ve tried adding cinnamon and a splash of rum extract to the custard for a grown-up spin that friends went nuts for.
Dairy-Free: Use coconut milk and a plant-based condensed milk alternative to keep things creamy but vegan-friendly.
Seasonal Twist: Swap chocolate chips for chunks of fresh or dried fruit like berries or apricots depending on the season.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe

Step 1: Whisk Together Your Custard Base

Start by grabbing a large bowl and whisking together 7 egg yolks, whole milk, evaporated milk, 3/4 of the condensed milk can, sugar, vanilla, and sea salt until everything looks smooth and velvety. This mixture is where that tres leches magic happens; be sure there are no lumps. I find it easiest to add sugar gradually, whisking constantly so it dissolves fully before adding bread.

Step 2: Fold in the Brioche Bread Cubes

Now comes the fun part—gently fold cubes of brioche into the custard mixture. You want each piece to be fully coated but no need to rush or smoosh the bread. I prefer using slightly stale brioche here because it soaks up the custard better without turning into mushy goo. Let it rest a couple of minutes, so the bread starts soaking up that sweet, creamy goodness.

Step 3: Assemble and Add the Chocolate Chips

Grease your baking dish well—this puppy will stick if you don’t! Transfer the soaked bread and custard mixture into the dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle a generous cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips over the top because why not? Those melty pockets add a touch of decadence that’s tough to resist.

Step 4: Bake Until Golden and Set

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 50-60 minutes. Keep an eye on it starting around 45 minutes—you’re looking for a golden brown top and custard set but still jiggly in the middle. Every oven bakes slightly differently, so don’t stress if it takes a few extra minutes. If the top starts browning too fast, tent it loosely with foil.

Step 5: Drizzle the Remaining Condensed Milk and Serve Warm

Once out of the oven, drizzle the remaining sweetened condensed milk over the top for that iconic tres leches richness. The warm pudding is best served right away—when the chocolate is melty and the custard is still luxuriously soft.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Use Slightly Stale Brioche: It soaks up the custard without falling apart, giving a perfect texture.
Don’t Rush Folding: Gently coat the bread cubes; vigorous mixing can make the pudding too mushy.
Watch Your Baking Time: Pull it out when it’s just set but still jiggles slightly—the pudding will firm up while cooling.
Drizzle Condensed Milk Warm: Warming slightly before drizzling helps it seep better into the top layer for extra moistness.

How to Serve Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe

Garnishes

I like to keep it simple with a dusting of powdered sugar and maybe a few fresh mint leaves or a light dollop of whipped cream. If you want to go a bit fancier, thinly sliced strawberries or toasted coconut flakes add a beautiful contrast and freshness that balances the dessert’s richness.

Side Dishes

This bread pudding feels like a dessert in itself, but pairing it with a lightly bitter espresso or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream creates a memorable indulgence. For festive occasions, black coffee or a mild chai latte compliment it nicely too.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to serve this bread pudding in individual ramekins or mason jars layered with chocolate chips on top for a darling single-serve presentation. Adding edible flowers or a drizzle of caramel sauce can really elevate the look without extra fuss.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After it cools, cover the pudding tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. It keeps well for up to 4 days, and honestly, the flavors deepen overnight, so making it a day ahead is a smart move if you want more flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen leftovers wrapped tightly in foil and placed in an airtight container, and it thaws nicely overnight in the fridge. Though the texture might be slightly softer after freezing, the flavor stays delicious—just be sure to avoid freezing for more than a month.

Reheating

Gently warm individual portions in the microwave for 20-30 seconds or reheat the whole dish at 325°F covered with foil until warmed through (about 15-20 minutes). Avoid high heat, or you’ll dry it out. Adding a splash of milk before reheating helps keep it moist and creamy.

FAQs

Can I use bread other than brioche for this Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe?

Absolutely! While brioche is ideal for its buttery texture and ability to soak custard without disintegrating, you can use challah or even a good-quality French bread. Just make sure it’s slightly stale or dry so it absorbs the liquids better and doesn’t become too soggy.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! In fact, I recommend making it a day ahead because the flavors deepen beautifully overnight in the fridge. Just bake it fully, let it cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until ready to serve.
How do I avoid a soggy bread pudding?

Use slightly stale bread and don’t over-soak it. Fold the bread gently into the custard and let it rest just long enough to absorb but not become mushy. Baking till just set helps keep the perfect texture.
Can I omit the chocolate chips?

Yes, the recipe works beautifully without them. But I highly recommend trying them at least once—they add a lovely contrast that makes this Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe extra special.
Is this recipe gluten-free?

This classic recipe uses regular brioche bread, which contains gluten. However, you can experiment with gluten-free bread options that absorb liquid well, although the texture will vary.

Final Thoughts

Honestly, this Tres Leches Bread Pudding with Chocolate Chips Recipe holds a special place in my heart for its cozy, indulgent feel and how easy it is to pull off. It’s one of those desserts that gets raves every time I bring it to gatherings—and the chocolate chips? Game changer. If you try it once, I’m confident it’ll be a staple in your recipe box too. Go on, make it your own and savor every warm, luscious bite!