My friends and I have four items that make regular appearances at our dinners: cheese, bread, wine and chocolate. These four things are basically the way to our hearts.
I got together with two of them last night for a wine, cheese and bread night. I said I would bring some of the bread I make in class and a dessert (because making dessert is kind of my thing).
I was sitting on my couch, thinking about what fun new thing I could whip up for dessert when it came to me.
We love chocolate and bread so it’s only natural that the two come together, right? And chocolate has to make bread at least 100 times better. Never underestimate the power of chocolate.
Pull-apart bread is the best because its just really fun to eat. It’s already sliced up and you just pull it apart. Couldn’t be easier.
Like most breads, this can be a little time consuming to make. Yeast needs time to rise to create a really good product, so you just have to be a little patient. And don’t be intimidated by the yeast. It wants to work for you.
When you get to kneading the dough, you’ll find that it’s kind of sticky. That’s okay. If you’re using a mixer just let it do it’s thing. If you’re like me and think kneading dough is therapeutic, just sprinkle on a little more flour as you need it to help it come together.
Once it’s kneaded, let it rise for at least one hour. You want your little ball of dough to double in size.
We’re making two loaves of bread (because why not?) so once the dough has risen, divide it in half. Working with one half at a time, roll out into a rectangle. Spread on some melted butter, sprinkle with a cinnamon-sugar mix and throw on some mini chocolate chips. Go crazy.
Then you’ll cut the dough into squares, stack them on top of each other and put them in a loaf pan. Once in the pan, you’ll need to let it rise for another hour. Be patient. It’s worth it.
Bake it and wait (or don’t) to dig in.
This was a hit at girls night. It’s kind of ooey, gooey chocolatey magic. This bread will just make you smile.
Nothing is better than food that makes you smile.
Ingredients
Dough:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 oz. butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. salt
- 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast (combined with 3 tbsp. warm water & a pinch of sugar)
- 1 egg
Filling:
- 2 oz. melted butter
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Heat milk, butter and sugar until butter is melted and sugar has dissolved. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt and cinnamon.
- In a separate bowl, combine milk mixture, yeast, egg and 2/3 of the flour mixture; combine well. Add remaining flour in two additions, combining well after each addition. Turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes, until a smooth ball forms.
- Place in a greased bowl and cover with a towel. Let double, about 1 hour.
- Grease two 9" loaf pans. Combine cinnamon and sugar for filling.
- Cut dough in half. Roll into rectangle and brush with 1/2 the melted butter, sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar and chocolate chips. Slice dough into squares. Stack strips and place in loaf pan. Repeat with the other half of dough.
- Cover with plastic wrap and let dough rise for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 375°.
- Bake 25-30 minutes. Let cool slightly and remove from pan.
