Quick Double Chocolate Bread

On the Great British Bake Off this week it was all about bread.  There were sculptures, baguettes and quick breads without yeast.  I'm a great fan of soda bread, ready in a jiffy and usually very thrifty indeed.  I've made both savoury and sweet versions in the past but never a chocolate version so I thought I would give it a go.  This bake is based on Ugne's recipe from Bread Week.

Quick Double Chocolate Bread

450g plain flour

100g cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp bicarbonate of soda

200g white sugar or caster sugar

125g butter, melted and cooled

200ml milk mixed with 1 Tblsp lemon juice or white vinegar and left to curdle

2 large free-range eggs

1 tsp vanilla bean paste

100g finely chopped chocolate or chocolate chips, I used white and dark

Preheat your oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.  Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.

Put the flour, cocoa, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and sugar into a large bowl.  Stir to combine.  

Combine the cooled melted butter with the milk and lemon mixture.  Mix in the eggs and vanilla then beat until combined.

Make a well in the dry ingredients then add the liquid ingredients, gently stirring with a wooden spoon to combine.  Do not beat the mixture or your bread will be tough.

Once a soft dough forms turn out onto a floured surface then gently shape into a round.  Put your bread round onto your lined baking tray.  Make deep cuts into the round with a knife our dough scraper, about half way into the loaf.  Bake in preheated oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the base.  Leave to cool on a wire rack for at least 20 - 30 minutes before cutting into wedges and serving.

I'm linking this recipe up to The Great Bloggers Bake Off, created by Mummy Mishaps and hosted this week by Jo's Kitchen.

For other Quick Breads, check out these fab recipes:

Wild Garlic Pesto Pinwheels by Foodie Quine

Rosemary, Olive and Sun-dried Tomato Flax Focaccia by Natural Kitchen Adventures

Chocolate Muscovado Banana Bread by Tin & Thyme

Malted Spelt Soda Bread Recipe by Kavey Eats

Cheddar & Dill Beer Bread Rolls by Tinned Tomatoes

Apple & Pear Cider Spelt Soda Bread by Fab Food 4 All

Cheddar & Chilli Sweet Potato Bread by The Veg Space