The Ultimate Moist Chocolate Bread Recipe: Easy Loaf Cake with Decadent Chocolate Chips
Prepare yourself for a delightful indulgence! This quick chocolate bread is incredibly moist and intensely chocolatey, offering all the rich satisfaction of a chocolate cake in a more versatile, “bread-like” form. Perfect for any time of day, it comes together in just 10 minutes of active prep time and is generously loaded with luscious chocolate chips, making it an ideal sweet snack or a decadent dessert.
This homemade chocolate loaf is a true revelation – moist, fudgy, and absolutely decadent. While many might consider it a chocolate loaf cake due to its rich flavor and tender crumb, we’ll happily call it “bread” if it means we can justify enjoying a generous slice for breakfast with our coffee! Regardless of what you call it, this recipe delivers a simple quick bread that’s bursting with deep cocoa flavor and studded with an abundance of melty chocolate chips. Whether you tuck into a slice as a satisfying sweet snack or elevate it into an elegant dessert with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of extra chips, it’s guaranteed to be a hit.
Why You’ll Adore This Easy Chocolate Bread Recipe
- Unforgettably Rich & Extra Chocolatey: Every single bite of this moist, fudgy chocolate bread is packed with intense cocoa goodness. We don’t just stop at cocoa powder; a generous handful of chocolate chips is folded into the batter, ensuring pockets of melted chocolate throughout. These gooey, sweet surprises elevate the indulgence, much like the delightful texture you’ll find in my chocolate chip zucchini bread. It’s a true celebration of chocolate in every sense!
- The Quintessential Sweet Treat for Any Occasion: This chocolate bread masterfully strikes a balance between a hearty bread and a delicate cake. It’s substantial enough to be a comforting snack alongside your morning coffee or afternoon tea, yet elegant and cakey enough to serve as a show-stopping after-dinner dessert. Enjoy it plain, or enhance its charm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of your favorite sauce. It truly offers the best of both delicious worlds!
- Remarkably Quick & Effortless to Make: The name “quick bread” isn’t just a label; it’s a promise! This recipe is designed for maximum flavor with minimal fuss. From gathering your ingredients to having the batter ready for the oven, you’re looking at mere minutes. There’s no yeast, no kneading, and no extensive rising time, making it the perfect impromptu bake when a chocolate craving strikes or when you need a delicious treat in a hurry.
Essential Ingredients for Your Decadent Chocolate Bread
Crafting the best double chocolate bread begins with selecting high-quality ingredients, especially your cocoa powder and chocolate chips, as they form the backbone of this rich flavor. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why each component is crucial. For a complete, printable list of ingredients with precise measurements, please refer to the recipe card found further down the page.
- Dry Ingredients: Our foundational blend includes all-purpose flour for structure, baking powder and baking soda as leavening agents to ensure a light and airy texture, and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness and enhance all the flavors.
- Cocoa Powder: I highly recommend using a good quality unsweetened cocoa powder for a deep, authentic chocolate taste. Alternatively, Dutch-processed cocoa powder can be used; it will yield an even more intense flavor and a darker, richer color, as Dutch processing reduces acidity, resulting in a smoother, less bitter chocolate note.
- Eggs and Buttermilk: These wet ingredients are vital for creating a remarkably rich and tender chocolate loaf. Buttermilk, with its slight acidity, reacts with the baking soda to promote a superior rise and exceptionally moist crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand, don’t worry! It’s incredibly simple to make a quick batch of homemade buttermilk by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to regular milk and letting it sit for a few minutes.
- Butter: You’ll need melted and cooled butter. Ensuring it’s cooled is important to prevent cooking the eggs when they’re combined. You can use either salted or unsalted butter; just remember to adjust the amount of added salt in the recipe if you opt for salted butter.
- Sugars: We use a combination of both light brown sugar and granulated sugar. The brown sugar is key to giving this loaf cake loads of extra moisture and a subtle caramel note, much like its role in making chewy chocolate chip cookies so irresistible. Granulated sugar provides additional sweetness and helps with the bread’s structure.
- Vanilla Extract: For the most vibrant and complementary flavor, always opt for pure vanilla extract over artificial vanilla. It truly makes a difference in deepening the overall taste profile of your chocolate bread.
- Chocolate Chips: While semi-sweet chocolate chips are my go-to for their balanced sweetness, feel free to experiment with dark, milk, or even white chocolate chips to suit your preference. Mini chocolate chips also work wonderfully for a more even distribution of chocolate in every bite.
Effortless Steps to Bake the Perfect Chocolate Bread
This truly is a “quick bread” for a reason – minimal fuss, maximum flavor! Follow these simple steps to create a delicious, fluffy, and incredibly moist chocolate bread loaf. For detailed, printable instructions that you can easily follow, please scroll down to the recipe card.
- Prepare Your Dry Ingredients: Begin by combining the all-purpose flour, rich cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Whisk them together thoroughly until all ingredients are well blended and there are no lumps. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents, which is crucial for a consistent rise. Set this bowl aside.
- Combine the Wet Ingredients: In a separate, larger bowl, cream together the buttermilk, large eggs, the melted and cooled butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and pure vanilla extract. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is smooth, uniform, and the eggs are fully incorporated, without any streaks. This creates the liquid base that will give our bread its incredible moisture and tender crumb.
- Gently Combine Wet and Dry: Pour the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, stir until the batter is *just combined*. It’s vital not to overmix, as overmixing can develop the gluten in the flour too much, leading to a tough and dry bread. A few streaks of flour are perfectly fine. Next, gently fold in about ½ cup of your chosen chocolate chips, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the prepared chocolate batter into a greased and/or parchment paper-lined loaf pan. Smooth the top slightly with your spatula, then sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips generously over the surface – these will melt beautifully and create a visually appealing, extra chocolatey crust. Finally, bake the bread in a preheated oven at 350ºF (175ºC) for 50-60 minutes. The baking time can vary depending on your oven, so always test for doneness. Once baked, let the bread cool in the pan for at least 10-15 minutes before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Expert Tips and Delicious Variation Ideas
This chocolate bread recipe is incredibly forgiving and almost guaranteed to be a success, even for novice bakers. Here are some extra tips to ensure perfection and exciting variations to customize your next loaf:
- Always Line Your Pan: For effortless removal and cleanup, I highly recommend lining your loaf pan with parchment paper. Leave a slight overhang on the sides to create “handles” that make it incredibly easy to lift the entire loaf out once it’s done baking and slightly cooled.
- Test for Doneness with Precision: The most reliable way to know if your chocolate bread is perfectly baked through is the toothpick test. Insert a clean wooden toothpick into the very center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached, your bread is ready to be removed from the oven. If the toothpick comes out streaked with wet batter, your loaf needs a little more time to bake, typically another 5-10 minutes.
- Introduce a Delightful Crunch with Nuts: Craving an added layer of texture and flavor? Stir in ½ cup of your favorite chopped nuts directly into the batter along with the chocolate chips. Walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts are particularly delicious choices that complement the rich chocolate beautifully.
- Spice It Up: For an unexpected twist, add a teaspoon of instant espresso powder to the dry ingredients – it won’t make the bread taste like coffee, but it will dramatically deepen and enhance the chocolate flavor. A pinch of cinnamon or even a tiny dash of cayenne pepper can also add a warm, complex note.
- Citrus Zest for Brightness: Finely grated orange or lemon zest can add a wonderful bright, fresh counterpoint to the rich chocolate. Add about 1-2 teaspoons to the wet ingredients.
- Other Mix-Ins: Consider adding dried cherries, cranberries, or even shredded coconut for more flavor and texture variations.
- Frost It for Extra Decadence: While this chocolate bread is fantastic on its own, it’s also a perfect canvas for frosting. A simple powdered sugar glaze (powdered sugar mixed with a touch of milk or water), a rich chocolate ganache, or even a tangy cream cheese frosting can take it to dessert heaven.
Irresistible Ways to Enjoy Your Chocolate Bread
The beauty of this chocolate bread lies in its versatility. It’s delicious on its own, but also shines when paired with a variety of toppings and beverages. Here are some of my favorite ways to enjoy it:
- Classic Toppings: I absolutely love serving chocolate bread topped with a cloud of homemade stabilized whipped cream, a luxurious drizzle of caramel sauce, or a spread of rich homemade Nutella. These additions elevate it from a simple snack to a truly gourmet experience.
- Perfect Pairings: For a cozy moment, enjoy a warm slice with a steaming mug of your favorite coffee or a comforting cup of afternoon tea. The rich chocolate notes complement these beverages wonderfully.
- Dessert Deluxe: Transform this chocolate bread into an impressive dessert by serving slices with a generous scoop of creamy vanilla or indulgent chocolate ice cream. For an extra touch of glamour, sprinkle over some additional chocolate chips or a dusting of cocoa powder as a garnish.
- Beverage Complements: To quench your thirst, wash everything down with a refreshing glass of homemade strawberry milk. In the colder months, a comforting mug of hot buttered rum makes an especially delightful companion to this sweet treat.
Storing Your Delicious Chocolate Bread
One of the best things about quick breads is how well they store, allowing you to enjoy this chocolatey goodness for days to come or save it for a future craving.
- Room Temperature Storage: To keep this homemade chocolate bread wonderfully rich and moist, store it in an airtight container or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap at room temperature. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. While you can certainly keep it in the fridge if you prefer, I highly recommend allowing it to come back to room temperature before serving to fully appreciate its soft texture and deep flavors.
- Freezing for Longer Enjoyment: Quick breads are fantastic candidates for freezing, making them perfect for meal prep or unexpected guests. Once the bread loaf has cooled completely, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil, or place it in an airtight freezer bag. It can be kept frozen for up to 2 months without losing its quality. To defrost, simply leave the bread at room temperature for several hours or overnight. It’s also a wonderful trick to pack a slice into a lunchbox; it will thaw perfectly by lunchtime, ready to be enjoyed!
Explore More Delicious Quick Bread Recipes
If you loved this easy chocolate bread, you’re in for a treat! Quick breads are incredibly versatile and simple to make, offering a wide range of flavors to satisfy every palate. Here are some more of my favorite quick bread recipes that I’m sure you’ll enjoy baking and sharing:
- Peanut Butter Banana Bread: A delightful fusion of classic banana bread with the rich, creamy goodness of peanut butter.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bread: The perfect combination for those who can’t decide between peanut butter and chocolate!
- Chocolate Chip Cinnamon Bread: A warm and comforting loaf, spiced with cinnamon and dotted with sweet chocolate chips.
- Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bread: A seasonal favorite featuring moist pumpkin bread swirled with a luscious cream cheese filling.
- Blueberry Banana Bread: A fruity twist on classic banana bread, bursting with juicy blueberries.
5 from 2 votes
Chocolate Bread
By Erin Sellin
This quick chocolate bread is moist, chocolatey, and ready for the oven in 10 minutes! Loaded with chocolate chips, it’s an easy sweet treat or dessert.
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 1 hour
Total: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
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Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 whole large eggs
- ½ cup butter melted, and cooled
- ½ cup light brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350ºF (175ºC). Lightly grease a standard loaf pan with non-stick baking spray, or line it with parchment paper, allowing an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
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In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until they are thoroughly combined and no lumps remain. Set this dry mixture aside.1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ teaspoon salt
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In a separate, larger bowl, combine the buttermilk, eggs, melted and cooled butter, light brown sugar, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix with a whisk or electric mixer until the mixture is smooth, well combined, and the eggs are fully incorporated.1 cup buttermilk, 2 whole large eggs, ½ cup butter melted, ½ cup light brown sugar, ½ cup granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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Pour the dry flour mixture into the wet egg mixture. Stir gently with a spatula until the ingredients are just combined. Be careful not to overmix; a few streaks of flour are acceptable. Then, fold in ½ cup of the semi-sweet chocolate chips until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter.¾ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
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Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Smooth the top with your spatula, then sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips over the surface of the batter. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a wooden skewer or toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with only moist crumbs attached.
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Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This allows the loaf to set before carefully transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
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For the best texture and clean slices, wait until the chocolate bread has cooled completely before slicing and serving. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 283kcal | Carbohydrates: 40g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 317mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 23g
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Additional Info
Author: Erin Sellin
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Course: Bread Recipes
Cuisine: American
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 283
Keyword: chocolate bread, chocolate bread recipe
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