This ultra-soft chocolate bread is one of the fluffiest and most delicious chocolate-infused breads you’ll ever taste! With a tender crumb and rich chocolate chips throughout, it’s perfect for breakfast, as a snack, or even as a dessert. Each bite is filled with a wonderful chocolatey flavor that will melt in your mouth. This bread is simple to make, but the results are truly indulgent, making it a go-to recipe for any chocolate lover.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe: You’ll love this bread for its soft, pillowy texture and the perfect balance of sweetness and chocolate richness. The chocolate chips spread throughout the dough create little pockets of melty goodness, making every bite irresistible. The bread is also versatile: it’s great plain, or you can dress it up with a little honey-butter glaze after baking for added flavor. Plus, the step-by-step process ensures a beautiful, professional-looking loaf every time.
Perfect Occasion: This chocolate bread is perfect for weekend breakfasts, afternoon snacks with coffee or tea, or even as a special treat to share with family and friends. It’s a fantastic addition to brunch tables or just as a sweet snack to enjoy whenever you’re craving something chocolatey and comforting.
Decoration Tips: For an extra beautiful presentation, brush the bread with a honey-butter mixture right after baking to give it a shiny, golden top. You can also sprinkle some extra chocolate chips on top before baking for a more indulgent look, or dust the finished loaf with powdered sugar for a classic touch.
Recipe:
Ingredients for the Chocolate Bread:
- 160g milk
- 1 egg
- 50g sugar
- 280-300g bread flour (or high-quality all-purpose flour)
- 15g cocoa powder
- 3g salt
- 4g instant yeast
- 30g butter
- 60g chocolate chips
Method:
- Mix the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the milk, egg, sugar, flour, cocoa powder, salt, and yeast. Knead the mixture for about 8 minutes until it becomes a smooth dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- Incorporate the Butter: After the initial rest, add the room-temperature butter to the dough and knead for another 8-10 minutes until the dough reaches the "windowpane test" (stretch it without tearing). Finally, knead in the chocolate chips for another minute, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- First Rise: Allow the dough to rest for 30 minutes in a warm place until it doubles in size.
- Shape the Dough: After the dough has risen, divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and let them rest for 15 minutes. Then, flatten each piece into a rectangle, fold the edges towards the center, and roll into a log. Place the logs seam-side down in a greased loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Let the dough rise again for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it reaches the top of the loaf pan.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 170°C (340°F) for an electric oven or 180°C (355°F) for a gas oven. Bake the loaf for 25 minutes, or until the top is golden and the bread is fully baked through.
- Final Touch: If desired, brush the hot bread with a mixture of 1 tbsp water, 1 tbsp honey, and 1 tbsp butter or oil for a shiny, flavorful finish.
Tips:
- Ensure all ingredients, especially the egg and butter, are at room temperature for best results.
- Be mindful of the dough’s rest periods; proper rising ensures a soft, fluffy texture.
- If you prefer a more structured loaf, freeze the shaped dough for 30 minutes before baking to prevent spreading.
- Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor in every bite.
Enjoy your warm, chocolatey bread with its perfectly soft texture and rich flavor!