Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe
If you’re looking for a dessert that feels like a warm hug, I’ve got just the thing — my Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe is simply fan-freaking-tastic. Imagine the fudgy, rich flavor of brownies baked into a loaf you can slice, share, and savor any time. Whether you’re new to baking or a seasoned pro, this recipe is packed with tips and tricks so you’ll nail it every time and wow anyone who takes a bite. Let me walk you through how to make this chocolatey marvel in your own kitchen!
Why This Recipe Works
- Fudgy Texture: The combo of melted chocolate and buttermilk makes the bread irresistibly moist and rich.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: From cocoa powder to a hint of espresso powder, each element deepens the chocolate taste.
- Easy to Make: Straightforward steps with tips ensure even beginners can succeed without stress.
- Versatility: You can customize with nuts, extra chips, or skips and still end up with a showstopper.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The magic of this Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe lies in a perfect marriage of rich chocolate, tender crumb, and a touch of acidity from buttermilk that brightens the flavor. Each ingredient has its role, and understanding these will help you bake confidently every time.
- Semisweet Chocolate Chips: Adding chocolate chips in two stages keeps pockets of gooey melted chocolate and crunchy bits.
- Unsalted Butter: Gives the bread a creamy richness without overpowering sweetness.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure while keeping the crumb tender.
- Dutch-process Cocoa Powder: Deepens chocolate flavor with a smooth, mellow taste.
- Salt: Enhances all the chocolate goodness and balances sweetness.
- Baking Powder & Baking Soda: These leaveners give a slight lift, keeping the bread from being too dense.
- Eggs: Bind everything together, adding moisture and richness.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens without adding moisture and helps with crust.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds subtle molasses notes and moisture to the crumb.
- Buttermilk: Adds tenderness and a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
- Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the chocolate flavors beautifully.
- Hot Water & Espresso Powder: Enhances chocolate’s depth — espresso is optional but highly recommended!
Tweak to Your Taste
One of the best things about the Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe is how easy it is to tweak based on what you love or have on hand. I often switch up the add-ins or even swap some ingredients for dietary needs, and it always turns out amazing.
- Nutty Upgrade: I add chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch; it makes the texture even more enjoyable.
- Vegan Version: Using flax eggs and a plant-based butter alternative works great, just watch the baking time closely.
- More Chocolate Boost: For serious chocoholics, toss in extra chocolate chunks or swirl in some peanut butter before baking.
- Less Sweet Option: Reduce sugars slightly if you prefer a more bittersweet bread, and balance it with a little extra vanilla.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (160°C). Make sure to grease and line your 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. I like to leave a little overhang on the sides—it makes pulling out the brownie bread a breeze once baked.
Step 2: Melt and Mix the Chocolate Butter
In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 cup of semisweet chocolate chips with butter. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until perfectly smooth. Set aside and let it cool—you’ll want it warm, not hot, when mixing it with eggs to avoid scrambling.
Step 3: Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients
While the chocolate cools, sift together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl. Sifting ensures there are no lumps and helps these ingredients mix evenly into the batter.
Step 4: Whisk Wet Ingredients Together
In another bowl, whisk the eggs with granulated and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and a bit light in color. Then add buttermilk, vanilla, and the cooled chocolate-butter mix. Give it one more good whisk to combine.
Step 5: Add Espresso Powder (If You Like!)
Dissolve espresso powder in hot water and stir this into your wet ingredients. I always add this step because coffee enhances chocolate’s richness without adding a coffee taste.
Step 6: Bring It All Together
Now, add half of your dry ingredients to the wet ones and stir gently with a spatula until it’s about halfway combined. Toss in half the remaining chocolate chips and fold gently just until everything is mixed. Overmixing can lead to a tougher texture, so go easy here.
Step 7: Bake and Add the Final Chocolate Touch
Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top. Bake for 50–60 minutes. You’re looking for a toothpick with a few moist crumbs, not clean—that’s what keeps the fudgy texture. When the bread comes out, immediately sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top so they melt slightly, creating a gorgeous glossy finish.
Step 8: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy
Let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Use a sharp knife for thick, satisfying slices—warm or room temperature, both are divine.
Pro Tips for Making Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe
- Don’t Overmix: Once you add flour, fold gently till just combined to keep the brownie bread tender and fudgy.
- Chocolate Timing: Adding chocolate chips both inside and on top creates spots of melty and glossy chocolate goodness.
- Use Room Temperature Eggs: They blend better and help create a light, even crumb.
- Check Early: Since oven temps vary, start checking for doneness at 50 minutes to avoid drying out your bread.
How to Serve Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe
Garnishes
I often sprinkle flaky sea salt on slices just before serving. The salty crunch amps up the chocolate flavor beautifully. Sometimes, a quick drizzle of caramel sauce or a dollop of whipped cream makes it party-ready, too!
Side Dishes
This loaf pairs wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries. A cup of strong coffee or creamy hot chocolate completes the experience for an indulgent treat.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays, I like to stack thick slices with layers of chocolate ganache and fresh fruit for a unique brownie bread cake. It’s always a crowd-pleaser and looks impressive without extra fuss.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover brownie bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It stays moist and delicious, but I always prefer it on day one if I can help it!
Freezing
This bread freezes beautifully when sliced. I wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and then a layer of foil or freezer bags to avoid freezer burn. When you want a quick treat, just pop them in the toaster oven or microwave for a few seconds.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked vibe, I reheat slices in a toaster oven for 5-7 minutes or microwave for about 20 seconds. If you reheat from frozen, add a few more seconds. This keeps the texture tender and melty without drying out.
FAQs
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Can I make this recipe without espresso powder?
Absolutely! The espresso powder is optional and mainly used to enhance the chocolate flavor. If you don’t have it on hand or prefer to skip coffee flavors, just leave it out. Your chocolate brownie bread will still be deliciously rich.
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How do I know when the brownie bread is done baking?
Use a toothpick inserted into the center — it should come out with a few moist crumbs clinging but not wet batter. This ensures your loaf stays fudgy, not dry. Start checking around 50 minutes as oven temps vary.
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Can I substitute buttermilk?
If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes to sour. This homemade substitute works well and keeps the bread tender.
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Will this recipe work as muffins instead of a loaf?
Definitely! I’ve baked this batter in muffin tins. Bake at the same temperature but reduce baking time to about 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them so they stay soft and fudgy.
Final Thoughts
This Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe has become one of my favorite go-to desserts because it’s simple, forgiving, and endlessly delicious. Whether you’re making it for a cozy night in or to impress friends at a weekend brunch, it never fails to bring smiles. Give it a try — I promise you’ll fall in love with the gooey, chocolatey goodness that’s easy to share and even easier to eat. Happy baking, friend!
Print
Chocolate Brownie Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
This decadent Brownie Bread recipe combines rich chocolate flavors with a moist, tender crumb, perfect for enjoying as a dessert or sweet snack. Featuring layers of semisweet chocolate chips and a hint of espresso powder, this loaf delivers a delightful chocolate experience in every slice.
Ingredients
Chocolate Mixture
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
Dry Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Wet Ingredients
- 3 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup hot water
- 2-3 teaspoons espresso powder, optional
Additional
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips, divided as above
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and line a 9×5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the long sides for easy removal.
- Melt chocolate and butter: In a microwave-safe bowl, warm 1 cup of chocolate chips with the butter in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool.
- Sift dry ingredients: In a large bowl, sift together the flour, Dutch-process cocoa powder, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Set aside.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs with both sugars until well combined and light in color. Add buttermilk, vanilla extract, and the cooled melted chocolate and butter mixture, then whisk until blended.
- Incorporate espresso (optional): If using espresso powder, dissolve it in the hot water and stir this into the wet ingredients to enhance the chocolate flavor.
- Mix dry and wet: Add the sifted dry ingredients to the wet mixture and gently fold with a spatula until about halfway combined to prevent overmixing.
- Add chocolate chips: Fold in 1/2 cup of the remaining chocolate chips until just combined to add texture and bursts of chocolate.
- Pour and bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface. Bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Add topping chocolate chips: Remove the pan from the oven and immediately sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of chocolate chips evenly over the top, allowing them to melt slightly while cooling.
- Cool and serve: Let the brownie bread cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice with a sharp knife and enjoy warm or at room temperature.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to keep the texture tender and avoid cakey brownies.
- Espresso powder is optional but enhances the richness of the chocolate flavor.
- Make sure eggs are at room temperature to blend evenly for a smooth batter.
- Use parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal of the loaf from the pan.
- Serve warm for a fudgier texture or at room temperature for cleaner slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
