Chocolate Bread From Scratch - a David Lebovitz Recipe

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cake flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

chocolate chips

🥗Healthier: dark chocolate chunks

💰Cheaper: chocolate bar

Dark chocolate has less sugar and more antioxidants.

sugar

🥗Healthier: coconut sugar

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Coconut sugar is less processed and has a lower glycemic index.

milk

🥗Healthier: almond milk

💰Cheaper: water

Almond milk is lower in calories, while water keeps it moist.

Warm milk to tepid using your pinky finger to check the temperature.

Add a little sugar to the warm milk, then sprinkle in the yeast and let it sit in a warm place for 10 to 15 minutes.

Chop bittersweet chocolate with a serrated knife in a metal or glass bowl.

Add butter and the chopped chocolate to the bowl, then set it over boiling water to create a double boiler and melt the chocolate.

Once the yeast is bubbly, mix it in a new bowl with more sugar, an egg, vanilla, and salt.

Stir in half the flour and cocoa powder, then add the melted butter and chocolate, followed by the remaining flour mixture until well incorporated.

Mix the dough by hand with a flexible spatula for about 5 minutes until it resembles sticky brownie batter.

Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about two hours.

Butter a 9-inch loaf pan, paying special attention to the corners.

Chop more chocolate to stir into the dough later.

After two hours, stir in the chopped chocolate with a flexible spatula, folding the dough over itself for about 30 seconds.

Transfer the dough to the buttered loaf pan, pressing it into the corners, and let it rise in a warm place for an hour covered.

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) about ten minutes before baking.

Bake the bread for 35 to 40 minutes until it feels done and sounds hollow when tapped.

If unsure, use an instant-read thermometer; it should read 180°F (82°C) when done.

If the bread doesn't sound hollow, put it back in the oven for another 5 minutes, checking again afterward.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens