• 1 piece day-old New Orleans-style French bread,* about 23 inches long and weighing about 7½ to 8 ounces, cut into ½-inch cubes with crust on  
• 3 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1 3/4 cups sugar, divided
• 1 2-inch-long piece of vanilla bean
• 1 1/4 pounds (3 1/2 cups) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 8 large eggs
• 8 to 12 pieces almond bark, for garnish

Chefs note: For the best results, refrigerate the uncooked bread pudding overnight before baking.

Brennan's Chocolate Bread Pudding

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