Recipe courtesy of Louis Marchand

Chocolate Bread

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  • Level: Intermediate
  • Total: 1 hr 3 min
  • Prep: 15 min
  • Inactive: 3 min
  • Cook: 45 min
  • Yield: 2 loaves

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Stir the first 3 ingredients in a large mixing bowl; let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes. Mix the flour, sugar, cocoa and salt in another bowl. Stir 1 1/4 cups water, the egg yolk and butter into dissolved yeast; then stir in the flour mixture, 1 cup at a time, with your hands. Stir in the chocolate chips last. Knead on a lightly floured surface until velvety, elastic and moist, 8 to 10 minutes.
  2. If done in a mixer, follow the same stages but add the chocolate chips together with the flour using the paddle. When it is blended, change to the dough hook and knead 2 minutes at low speed then 2 minutes at medium speed.
  3. Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap and let rise about 2 hours.
  4. Punch the dough down and cut in half. Shape into round loaves and place on an oiled baking sheet. Cover with a towel and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  5. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes, reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and bake 30 minutes longer. Cool on a rack. Slice and enjoy for breakfast or a snack.