Summary
This Bread Machine Chocolate Bread is a soft, lightly sweet yeast bread made with cocoa and vanilla for just a hint of chocolate flavor. The bread machine does the mixing, kneading and baking, making it an easy homemade bread for breakfast, snacks or dessert.
Bread Machine Chocolate Bread
Why You'll Love This Bread Machine Chocolate Bread
- Easy to make. Let the bread machine handle the kneading, rising and baking.
- Lightly chocolatey. Cocoa and vanilla provide chocolate flavor without turning the loaf into an overly sweet dessert bread.
- Soft texture. Whole milk and egg help create a soft, tender loaf.
- Simple ingredients. Everything you need is readily available at most grocery stores.
- Versatile. Serve it for breakfast, as a snack or even as dessert.
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Note: follow your bread machineās recommendations for placing ingredients in the baking bowl.
- For my machine, the liquids go in first.
- To the baking bowl, add the warm milk, beaten egg, vanilla.
- Top with flour, cocoa, sugar, salt. Make a small well in the dry ingredients and add the yeast.
- Place the baking bowl in the machine. Set your machine for a 1 Ā½ pound loaf, white bread (soft bread) with light crust setting.
Video
Which Bread Machine Cycle Should I Use?
For this recipe, we use the White Bread or Soft Bread cycle with a light crust setting and select a 1 1/2-pound loaf. Bread machines vary, so check your manufacturer’s instructions for the equivalent setting on your machine.
Tips for the Best Bread Machine Chocolate Bread
Use warm, not hot, milk. We use milk at approximately 95Ā°F. Milk that’s too hot can interfere with the yeast, while cold milk can slow the rise.
Bring the egg to room temperature. This helps keep the dough temperature consistent and allows the ingredients to combine more evenly.
Follow your machine’s ingredient order. Our KBS bread machine calls for liquids first, followed by the dry ingredients, with the yeast placed in a small well on top. Follow the recommendations for your particular bread machine.
Check the dough during kneading. After several minutes, the dough should come together into a soft, cohesive ball. If it looks unusually wet or dry, a small adjustment may be necessary.
How to Serve Chocolate Bread
This isn’t an intensely sweet chocolate cake disguised as bread. Its lighter chocolate flavor makes it easy to serve in several different ways.
- Warm with butter
- Toasted with cream cheese
- With strawberry or raspberry preserves
- With peanut butter
- Made into French toast
- Served with fresh berries for dessert
Storage and Freezing
Allow the loaf to cool completely before storing it. Keep it in an airtight container or bread bag at room temperature for several days.
For longer storage, slice the cooled loaf and place the slices in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freezing individual slices makes it easy to remove only what you need and toast them straight from frozen or thaw them at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bread Machine Chocolate Bread very sweet?
No. This is a lightly sweet yeast bread with a subtle chocolate flavor rather than a cake-like chocolate bread. The cocoa and vanilla provide chocolate flavor while the loaf still has the texture of homemade yeast bread.
Can I add chocolate chips?
Yes. Chocolate chips will make the bread sweeter and give it a stronger chocolate flavor. If your bread machine has an automatic fruit and nut dispenser, use it, or add the chips when your machine gives its add-in signal.
Can I use a different type of cocoa powder?
Different cocoa powders can change the flavor and color of the finished bread. For the most consistent results, use the same type of unsweetened cocoa powder called for in the recipe.
Why didn’t my chocolate bread rise properly?
Old yeast, milk that’s too hot, inaccurate flour measurements, or an incorrect bread machine cycle can all affect the rise. Make sure your yeast is fresh, measure carefully, and follow your bread machine’s recommended settings.
Can I freeze Bread Machine Chocolate Bread?
Yes. Let the bread cool completely before slicing and freezing it in an airtight freezer-safe container or bag. Individual slices can then be thawed or toasted as needed.