Thursday, March 31, 2011

Chocolate Bread


It is Day 4 of Bread Week and we just have to
sneak in my recipe for Chocolate Bread
studded with chocolate chips and topped with pink sanding sugar.

This is a yeast bread not a batter bread.
I first had one like this from a local bakery
and they never carried it again, so I had to
create one of my own.

The cute brown bakers in the above photo can be found
at Sur La Table.  They are great to bake in and are
wonderful when you give the loaves as gifts.  They come in all
shapes and sizes.


My son and daughter-in-law made me this wonderful
plaque which has a place of honor in my kitchen.

It is perfect for today's bread.



This could be called Double Chocolate Bread as it has
chocolate chips added.


A good way to tell if your bread is ready to bake is to measure
it.  Get down to eye level and make sure that it has risen about
1 inch from the top of the pan.  Did you know that the
distance between your first two knuckles on your pointer
finger is about 1 inch.  You always have a measuring tape with
you.  Measure the span of your hand with your fingers outstretched,
mine is about 8 1/2 inches.  Your arms outstretched should be the
same as your height from fingertip to fingertip.  Now you can always
get approximate measurements wherever you are!

Be patient and wait for the bread to rise.  Today mine took
2 hours - super long (maybe it was the weight of the chips).


This bread takes extra time to bake too.

Chocolate Bread Recipe

1 C. milk, scalded
2 T. butter
1/2 C. sugar
1 tsp vanilla
2 lightly beaten eggs

1 pkg. yeast
1/4 C. warm water
1 T. sugar

2/3 C. cocoa
3 1/2 C. flour 
1 tsp. salt 

1 1/2 to 2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips
(I used 2 C. but it does make it a little hard to cut.)

Take the scalded milk while hot and add the butter.
Let the butter melt.  Add the 1/2 C. sugar and vanilla
and when it has cooled to lukewarm add the 2 eggs.  Mix.

Dissolve the yeast in 1/4 C. warm water with the 1 T. sugar.

Sift the cocoa, flour and salt.

In the mixer with the dough hook, mix the milk mixture
and the flour mixture.  Let knead for 5-7 minutes.

Add the chocolate chips.

Cover the dough and let rise until double.  
Punch down and shape into desired loaves.

You can form it into 1 standard loaf or two round loaves 
or four mini loaves.

Brush with melted butter and sprinkle on 
sanding sugar (sugar crystals or decorator sugar).

Of course I chose PINK.

Cover and let rise until double - or until it measures
about 1 inch above the loaf pan.

Preheat oven to 350 (325 if using a dark pan).

Bake standard loaf 45 to 50 minutes,  two round
loaves, 35-40 minutes and mini loaves about 30 minutes.

Cool 10 minutes in pan, then run knife around edge
to loosen.  Remove to cooling rack.



Let the bread cool before cutting as the chocolate
chips will be soft.


My absolute favorite way to eat this is to
toast it with a little butter.

This would be a great breakfast bread or a
bread to go with tea.  I bet it would be great with
cream cheese also.



I am glad so many of you are enjoying Bread Week.

All of the breads are very doable, give one a try.

I will be posting with
Jacqueline
Jacqueline

Chocolat - French for Chocolate. I adored chocolate from a young age when I had to sneak in the cupboard to find where my mother had hidden the Nestle's Chocolate Chips. Having read about the famous chocolat shoppes in Paris, when I finally got there I was determined to try a chocolate from every Paris shoppe. I invite you to share my adventures in creating, in travel, and in life.

45 comments:

  1. I have been wanting to try making chocolate bread for the longest time. It always looks so good and yours is no exception. I just have one question - what type of cocoa powder did you use (i.e. natural or dutch)? I've heard that certain types of cocoa inhibit the yeast and since it looks like you didn't have that problem at all, I'm all for using whatever you used.

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  2. Bravo again~

    Cute sign also..and again..I like the words in the flour~

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  3. You really have to wait for it to cool? Talk about torture! I bet this would be good in bread pudding too! Looks like I may be baking later today!

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  4. Yummy! I am going to make this bread first. I have never heard of CHOCOLATE bread as a yeast bread before. I am anxious for my first bite.

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  5. you are on a roll, a tasty rock n' roll tongue teaser!

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  6. Looks amazing, I've never had chocolate bread! Lovin' the plaque the kids made you:@)

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  7. This is a beautiful, and no doubt, delicious bread! I agree that it would make an awesome bread pudding. :)

    Barb

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  8. Okay, my daughter and I have been looking for a yeast chocolate bread recipe and I have found one, but it looks really labor intensive! I am going to make this for sure! I have a feeling it will be my favorite bread of the week from your blog!

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  9. Very gorgeous and pretty! I love the pink sprinkles, very lovely!!
    xx,
    Tammy

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  10. OMG Jacqueline! Your breads look AMAZING! I can practically smell them...YUMMIE!
    Have a beautiful weekend!
    ;-D Kathleen

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  11. What a fabulous breakfast bread. I loved that sign you have.

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  12. These fabulous recipes have put 10 pounds on me this week just looking at the posts!!!

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  13. Thanks for stopping by Jacqueline. Your chocolate bread is awesome. You did a great job reasoning out this recipe. I didn't know the trick about the one inch. Good to know. Mmmmmm. chocolate. I love your sign.Smile.

    I also checked out your island tablescape. it looks very elegant and so is the rest of the decorating you shared. You have a very fun job. Decorating is my passion. Lucky you.

    Hugs, Jeanne

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  14. As much as I love bread...I am sure I could eat this whole loaf..I wonder how long it would take to loose the weight?! ;D

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  15. You were the 50th link at Foodie Friday, and you have won a copy of Lori Wilde's new book. Just email me @ designsbygollum@gmail.com with your address or special mailing instructions. Your blog is gorgeous! What a beautiful post!

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  16. Hi Jacqueline, my dear. When I saw the thumbnail of your photo on Michael's linky page, I immediately thought to myself that you would love the recipe. I should have known it was you who posted the link!!

    Have a great weekend.

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  17. Looks delicious! Enjoyed your measurement tips too.

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  18. Beautiful bread! This is a keeper... My sons will love it!
    Shel

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  19. Hi - I envy people who can bake with yeast. For some reason I just don't always get it right. This chocolate bread would be a wonderful addition to a brunch menu, with a simple cream cheese spread - YUMMY! Thanks for stopping by my brunch post by the way - it's good to see you again!! Ciao, bella! xxoo

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  20. How interesting sounding! I bet my g'kids would go bonkers over this one...they'll devour anything with chocolate chips in it. LOL

    Thanks for the recipe & I love how you play in the flour. ;-)

    Love your cute sign, too. Its so YOU!!!!

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  21. How amazing does this bread sound? Great treat for the morning.

    I'd like to invite you to share this recipe with my linky, Sweet Tooth Friday. I hope to see you there.
    http://alli-n-son.com/2011/03/31/toffee-snickerdoodle-cookies/

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  22. Pink is good, but CHOCOLATE is even better! TY for sharing this delectable & soon to be made bread.

    Happy pink April lst ~
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

    GIVEAWAY ENDS 4/5

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  23. That bread, I can taste it, it looks so good. Never had it before. My DIL would love not only the bread but the sign. What a lovely gift. Happy PS

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  24. Pink chocolate bread. Is there anything more tempting? I want some and I want it now. Thx I hope it was good for you & your readers as it was me! Have a happy pink week

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  25. Um, Hello anything with the touch of pink just excites me! What a super fun idea. I love it!!! I may have to try making this gorgeous bread :)

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  26. Oh my! Your home is beautiful and this bread is, as well! I can't wait to make this for myself!

    I'm your newest follower. Stop by my blog sometime--I'd love to have you as a follower, as well! :)

    morrowsunshine.blogspot.com

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  27. Chocolate toast for breakfast-what a way to start the day! Happy Pink Saturday!

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  28. Wowee! this looks sinfully delicious! I'm dying to try it.

    Have a great Pink Saturday!

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  29. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO ... not chocolate bread !!! I am in deep deep trouble now. Happy pink Saturday!

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  30. I love the pink sugar on the chocolate bread. Happy Pink Saturday!!

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  31. Wonderful! Thank you for this...I've just got to follow now!! :)

    HaPpY pInK sAtUrDaY!
    Sarah

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  32. Oh my! Did someone say chocolate bread with pink sugar? I just had to come right over to blog and check it out. Looks as yummy as it sounds.

    Jillian
    Bella Rosa Antiques

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  33. OMG~ Chocolate AND Bread...I would never be able to resist it! Love the pink sanding sugar too :-)

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  34. What a great receipe,I must try it...I tried the chocolate milkbath...ahhhhhhh what heaven!
    Thanks for sharing! Happy Pink Saurday!
    Gigi

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  35. I've never had a chocolate yeast bread- it looks delicious! It would make yummy french toast I bet. Or a peanut butter sandwich. Yum! :)

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  36. Oh, I am envious of your bread making talent....wish I had been in line when He passed out that talent! But in the meantime I get to enjoy your lovely photos of the most beautiful bread I think I have ever seen. The pink sugar crystals just add the ultimate touch of perfection!!

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  37. Happy Pink Saturday...Ladies....another week-end traveling the pink highway....God Bless you and remember to hug someone...only if they want it!

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  38. Happy Pink Saturday...Ladies....another week-end traveling the pink highway....God Bless you and remember to hug someone...only if they want it!

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  39. Oh my goodness this sounds & looks sooooo yummy!!

    My family would have a melt down if they couldn't try it right away! I will have to remember to make this when they are not home so I can have it cool :))

    Happy Pink Ssturday!

    Kay Ellen

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  40. Thank you for the yummy recipe! Your mixer is so pretty!

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  41. Oh how sinfully wonderful that sounds. You are amazing! Thank you for linking this recipe to Favorite Things. laurie

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  42. This sounds amazing! Chocolate and bread - together, you just can't go wrong!! Can't wait to give it a try!

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  43. Can you tell me where you purchased the dishes for the Tuscan Villas Table. I love the soft green and cream. Also, where did you purchase the chargers.

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  44. Deb, I got the plates for the Tuscan Villas at Tai Pan, here in Utah and there are also a couple in California. The chargers were from Tuesday morning. I tried to write back to you, but didn't get anywhere to write.

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