recipe: chocolate chip bread pudding

bread pudding is a great recipe because it uses things you likely have around the house already. this makes it easy to whip together in a hurry for a crowd but it makes you look like a great chef! you can add various mix-ins depending on what you have on hand to spice it up. in this case we used chocolate chips. other mix-ins could include: nuts, coconut, raisins, candied fruit or dried fruit, white chocolate chips. you can serve with ice cream or with some jam or preserves (heated up and mix a little water with it to make it pourable). recipe is courtesy of my boyfriend <3

you will need:
1 loaf bread, few days old (i always use publix homestyle white bread, unsliced- find this in the bakery, if you can't find it, ASK! trust me it's worth it... oh and this bread is great for french toast too!)
8 eggs
2 1/2 cups milk
1/4 splenda (or sugar)
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
3/4 cup chocolate chips

to make:
1- in a large bowl whisk eggs, milk, splenda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla extract until combined.
2- cut bread into 1" - 2" cubes (varying sizes). put bread in egg mixture and stir to coat evenly. refrigerate for 45 minutes then stir. refrigerate for another 45 minutes. (if at this point it seems to dry, add a dash more milk and stir)
3- preheat oven to 350 degrees. spray baking dish HEAVILY with pam.
4- spread half of bread mixture into pan. sprinkle with half of the chocolate chips. top with remaining bread mixture and sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
5- bake for 35-45 minutes or until cooked through and lightly brown on the top. serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side.