Go Back

Chocolate Bread

After much experimenting, I opted for a dough that much softer than the one I’m kneading up in the photos. And I eventually I settled on one that was soft enough to be scraped into the baking pan, just as is. Use very good cocoa powder; here I used Valrhona, since I think the darker color and strong taste are important in the loaf. But another brand of Dutch-process cocoa should work fine, too. If you don’t have the coffee powder, you can leave it out. I like it since it add a subtle boost to the chocolate flavor. This recipe works best with bread flour, but if you can’t get it, all-purpose flour works well, too. I’ve made a few notes at the end of the recipe about yeast and flour substitutions.
  • 3/4 cup whole or low-fat milk, heated until just tepid
  • 1 envelope active dry yeast (1/4 ounce, or 2 1/4 teaspoons)—see Note
  • 6 tablespoons (75g) sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (55g) butter, salted or unsalted
  • 3 ounces (85g) bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee or espresso powder, optional
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3/4 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
  • 2 cups bread flour, 280 g
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • 3/4 cup (3 1/2 ounces, 90 g) chocolate chips or coarsely chopped bittersweet or semisweet chocolate
  • 1/2 cup (70g) toasted pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl, sprinkle the yeast over the milk. Add one tablespoon (11g) sugar, then set aside in a warm place for 10 to 15 minutes, until bubbles form on the surface.
  • While the yeast is activating, in a small saucepan, melt the butter and 3 ounces (85g) chocolate over a pan of barely simmering water. Stir occasionally, until the chocolate is melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
  • Once the yeast mixture is frothy, mix in the remaining sugar, the instant coffee (if using), the egg, vanilla, and sea salt.
  • Stir in half the flour and cocoa powder, then the melted butter and chocolate, then the remaining flour mixture, stirring until well-incorporated. If using a stand mixer, attach the dough hook and beat for five minutes, until smooth. If making by hand, mix vigorously with a flexible spatula for the same amount of time. The dough will seem quite moist, resembling sticky brownie batter when ready.
  • Cover the bowl and let rise in a warm place for 2 hours.
  • Butter a 9-inch (23cm) loaf pan.
  • Stir in the chopped chocolate and nuts, if using. Then use a spatula to fold the dough over on itself in the bowl for about thirty seconds, then transfer it to the buttered pan, pressing a bit to spread it to the corners. Let rise in a warm place for one hour.
  • Ten minutes before you’re ready to bake the bread, preheat the oven to 350ºF (175ºC.)
  • Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes, until it feels done and sounds hollow when you tap it. You can stick an instant-read thermometer in the bottom if you’re unsure; the bread is done when the temperature reads 180ºF (82Cº).