Decadent Chocolate-Filled Holiday Bread Recipe
Indulge in the festive flavors of this Chocolate-Filled Holiday Bread, a deliciously decadent treat perfect for holiday gatherings and special occasions. Fluffy, sweet bread dough is filled with rich, melted chocolate, creating an irresistible combination that will delight your guests. With its gorgeous braided shape and a sprinkle of powdered sugar on top, this bread is as visually stunning as it is tasty. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or as a show-stopping holiday centerpiece, this chocolate-filled bread is guaranteed to impress!
- Prep Time: 1 hour (excluding rise times)
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours (including rise times)
- Yield: 1 loaf (8-10 servings) 1x
- Category: Dessert, Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Holiday, American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 500g all-purpose flour
- 7g active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 2 large eggs
- 200g dark chocolate (chopped or chips)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar (for dusting)
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large bowl, combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk together warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix to form a dough. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Prepare the chocolate filling: In a saucepan, heat the heavy cream over low heat until warm, then add the chopped dark chocolate. Stir until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. Let the chocolate filling cool slightly.
- Shape the bread: Punch down the dough and divide it into three equal portions. Roll each portion into a long rectangle, then spread the chocolate filling evenly on top. Roll each dough rectangle into a tight log, pinching the edges to seal.
- Braid the dough: Carefully braid the three chocolate-filled dough logs together to form a beautiful twist. Pinch the ends together and tuck them underneath.
- Second rise: Place the braided dough on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Finish and serve: Let the bread cool for a few minutes, then dust with powdered sugar before slicing and serving. Enjoy the gooey chocolate goodness!
Notes
- Chocolate options: Use any type of chocolate you prefer (milk, dark, or white) for the filling, or even a mix for a different flavor profile.
- Make-ahead tip: The dough can be prepared in advance and refrigerated overnight for an even better flavor. Just allow it to come to room temperature before shaping.
- Storage: Keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. Reheat slightly before serving to enjoy the gooey chocolate filling.
Keywords: Chocolate-Filled Holiday Bread, chocolate bread recipe, festive chocolate bread, holiday bread with chocolate, chocolate-filled braided bread, homemade chocolate bread, Christmas bread, easy holiday bread recipe, chocolate dessert bread, pull-apart chocolate bread