Ingredients
- 1 cup active sourdough starter
- ¾ cup warm milk or water
- 2½ cups bread flour
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup sugar or honey
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips or chunks
- 2 tablespoons butter or oil
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl combine:
- Sourdough starter
- Warm milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
Mix until smooth.
2. Add Dry Ingredients
Add:
- Bread flour
- Cocoa powder
- Salt
Mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Knead the Dough
Knead the dough for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If it feels sticky, lightly dust with flour.
4. Add Chocolate Chips
Gently knead in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed throughout the dough.
5. First Rise
Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let it rise at room temperature for 4–6 hours or until doubled in size.
6. Shape the Dough
Turn the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a round loaf or oval.
7. Second Rise
Place the shaped dough on parchment paper or in a proofing basket. Cover and let it rise for 1–2 hours.
8. Preheat the Oven
Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). If using a Dutch oven, heat it inside the oven.
9. Bake the Bread
Place the dough into the hot Dutch oven and bake:
- 20 minutes covered
- 20–25 minutes uncovered
The crust should be dark and slightly crisp.
10. Cool Before Slicing
Allow the bread to cool for 30–40 minutes before slicing.
✅ Serving Idea:
This bread tastes amazing with butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey.
