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Chocolate Cherry Bread

A delightful blend of rich dark chocolate and juicy cherries enveloped in soft, tender dough, this chocolate cherry bread is an irresistibly sweet treat perfect for any occasion.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Comfort Food, European
Calories: 290

Ingredients
  

Dough Ingredients
  • 450-500 g strong plain flour (bread flour), plus extra for dusting Invest in high-quality bread flour for better results.
  • 10 g salt
  • 10 g fast-action yeast
  • 30 ml olive oil Alternatively, melted butter can be used for a richer flavor.
  • 320 ml cold water You may need a bit more, but start with this.
Filling Ingredients
  • 390 g jar of dark sweet cherries, drained Use morello cherries for the best flavor.
  • 100 g dark chocolate chips
  • 100 g white chocolate chips

Method
 

Mixing the Dough
  1. Place 450g of flour into the bowl of your mixer (or a large bowl if kneading by hand) along with the salt, olive oil, and yeast. Keep the yeast and salt on opposite sides of the bowl.
  2. Slowly add the cold water while mixing on low speed, gradually increasing to medium until you achieve a pliable dough.
Kneading
  1. Knead the dough in the mixer for 2-4 minutes, or by hand for 4-7 minutes on a floured surface. Add extra flour if needed to maintain a sticky dough.
Adding Cherries and Chocolate
  1. Once kneaded, fold in the drained cherries and chocolate chips gently to ensure even distribution.
First Rise
  1. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 60-90 minutes until it doubles in size.
Shaping
  1. Dust your surface with flour, punch down the dough to release air, and knead briefly before dividing it into two or three pieces.
  2. Shape the dough into a plait for a beautiful finish.
Second Rise
  1. Dredge a baking tray with flour or use parchment paper, lay the shaped dough on it, cover, and allow it to rise for 1 hour.
Baking
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375°F and continue baking for another 20-25 minutes until it reaches an internal temperature of 200°F.
Cooling
  1. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and allow it to cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing to avoid a doughy mess.

Notes

Wrap leftover bread in plastic wrap or foil to keep it fresh, lasting for up to 3 days at room temperature or freeze for up to a month. Consider serving warm with cream cheese or mascarpone.