Chocolate Cranberry Bread Pudding

Ingredients

• FOR THE BREAD PUDDING
• 4 large eggs
• 1 1/4 cups brown sugar, packed
• 1/2 cup unsweetened baking cocoa
• 3 cups half-and-half
• 1 lb whole wheat bread, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (or torn apart)
• 2 cups dried cranberries
• 3 1/2 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped (optional)
• 1 -2 tablespoon orange zest, minced (optional)
• FOR THE SAUCE
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup vanilla baking chips
• 1 cup whipping cream
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract