Chocolate Sourdough Bread
This chocolate sourdough bread balances the tang of traditional sourdough with the smooth richness of cocoa. The result is a moist, slightly sweet loaf that pairs beautifully with savory spreads or transforms into a dreamy dessert toast.
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Whisk
- Proofing basket or bowl
- Damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap
- Sharp knife or lame for scoring
- Dutch oven or baking stone
- Measuring scale (recommended for accuracy)
Ingredients
- Active Sourdough Starter: 100g
- Bread Flour: 400g
- Cocoa Powder Unsweetened: 30g
- Granulated Sugar or Brown Sugar: 30g
- Salt: 8g
- Warm Water: 250–270g adjust as needed
(Optional) Chocolate Chips or Chopped Chocolate: 50–70g
(Optional) Espresso Powder: 1 tsp for added depth
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, cocoa, sugar, and salt.
- Combine with Starter: Add sourdough starter and most of the warm water. Stir to form a shaggy dough.
- Autolyse: Cover and rest for 30 minutes.
- Stretch and Fold (or Knead): Perform 1–2 sets of stretch-and-folds, 4–5 stretches per session, resting the dough 30 minutes between sets. Add optional chocolate chips during these folds.
- Bulk Ferment: Let the dough rest in a warm spot for 4–6 hours, or until roughly 50%–75% larger in volume.
- Shape: Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface, shape into a round or oval, and place in a floured proofing basket.
- Final Proof: Cover and proof 2–4 hours at room temperature or overnight in the fridge.
- Preheat Oven and Score: Heat oven to 450°F (230°C) with a Dutch oven inside. Score the top of the loaf.
- Bake: Transfer loaf to the Dutch oven, cover, and bake 20 minutes. Uncover, reduce heat to 425°F (218°C), and bake another 15–20 minutes. Internal temperature should reach about 200°F (93°C).
- Cool: Let the loaf rest on a rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.
Notes
If you have nut or dairy allergies, remember to double-check your chocolate and optional ingredient labels. Always consult a healthcare professional if you have any specific dietary concerns.