Bread pudding can be eaten in lieu of any meal.  Fact.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups milk
2 tablespoons espresso powder
2 tablespoons unsalted butter plus more for greasing pan
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/3 cup sugar
Pinch of salt
5 to 6 cups of 2-inch cubed stale bread
1/2 cup chopped chocolate
2 eggs, beaten

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350 degrees. In a small saucepan over low heat, warm milk, butter, vanilla, espresso powder, sugar and salt. Continue cooking just until butter melts; cool. Meanwhile, butter a 4-to-6-cup baking dish and fill it with cubed bread and toss in chopped chocolate.

Add eggs to cooled milk mixture and whisk; pour mixture over bread. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until custard is set but still a little wobbly and edges of bread have browned. Serve warm or at room temperature.