Recipe Exchange: Chocolate Orange Bread

Breads, Chocolate, Dessert, Recipe Exchange, Yeast Breads | 17 comments

My absolute favorite flavor to pair with chocolate is orange. It always has been. Maybe that comes from receiving a chocolate orange in my stocking each Christmas as a child. Whatever the reason, that flavor combination has stuck with me as a favorite through my childhood and into my adult years.

I knew for this swap I wanted to make something with chocolate and orange together. I took a simple cinnamon swirl bread recipe, loaded it up with orange zest, and substituted chocolate chunks for the cinnamon mixture. Served toasted with a dab or marmalade on it, this bread is magic on my taste buds!

I baked it in four small loaf pans (the directions are for one loaf). Because I thought they would be cute as gifts this way. All you’d need to do is dive the dough into 4 equal parts, then roll into out into smaller rectangles. I just kind of eyeballed it. If you’re concerned about what size, you could probably just stir the chocolate straight into the dough instead of rolling it in.

Check out Jamie’s recipe for Rolo Stuffed Chocolate Cookies. YUM! Rolos are one of my favorite indulgent treats.

Chocolate Orange Bread

adapted from The New Best Recipe: All-New Edition

Ingredients:

1/2 cup milk
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 envelope yeast, about 2 1/4 teaspoons
1/2 cup warm water, about 110 degrees F
1/3 cup sugar
zest of 2 large oranges
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 1/4 - 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 heaping cup of Scharffen Berger Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks

Directions:

Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan or microwave until butter is melted and the temperature measures 110 degrees F. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the beater attachment.

Zest two large oranges. Add the orange zest to the sugar and rub to combine with your fingers. The sugar should become very fragrant as you release the oils in the zest. Beat in the sugar, vanilla, and eggs. Add the salt, milk mixture and 1 cup of flour. Stir till mixed.

Slowly add the remaining flour until a smooth dough is formed, 1/2 cup at a time. Part way through, about after 2 cups of flour, you'll need to switch to the wire beater to the dough hook. The final dough should not be sticky. Transfer dough to lightly-oiled bowl. Cover and let rise for 2 to 2 1/2 hours, until dough has doubled.

After dough has doubled, punch down dough one time and place on unfloured board. Let dough rest for 10 minutes. Grease bottom and sides of a loaf pan. Using little or no extra flour (more flour will make bread tough), roll dough to 18 by 8 inch rectangle. Sprinkle the surface with chocolate chunks.

Roll up tightly, starting with 8” end. Place loaf seam side down in well-greased 8 x 6 inch pan and let rise for 1 1/2 hours or until the dough reaches 1” above pan.

Brush top of loaf with mixture of one beaten egg and 2 tsp. milk. Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from pan and let cool for 45 minutes. Bread can be double-wrapped in plastic and stored at room temperature for 2-4 days or frozen for 3 months.

How To Participate

For a chance to win a $100 Scharffen Berger Prize Pack:

1. Write and post a recipe on your blog featuring CHOCOLATE.
2. Include “Come join the fun at the My Baking Addiction and GoodLife Eats Holiday Recipe Swap sponsored by Scharffen Berger.” in your blog post.
3. Add your link to the widget on either GoodLife Eats or My Baking Addiction (we have the same widget code, so only add it on one site).
4. Submit your post before Dec. 11, 11:59 PM. On Dec. 12, 12:00 AM the widget will switch to voting mode. Be sure to encourage your readers to vote for you and/or vote for your favorites.
5. Anyone can participate in the link up, but the prize will ship to US residents only.
6. More detailed info, including buttons for your posts are available here.

Link Up Your Recipes:

This Week’s Prize:

$100 Scharffen Berger Chocolate Prize Pack (1 winner), provided by Scharffen Berger.

Recipe Theme Schedule:

We still have three weeks open for this Holiday season. If you would like to discuss scheduling a sponsored recipe exchange please contact Katie or Jamie to discuss availability and themes.

click image to enlarge

How To Promote Your Recipe:

Help us spread the word by letting your friends, family, and followers know about the contest. Email, Facebook, Tweet, Stumble…anything you want to do to promote this post is welcome.

• Sample Tweet 1: Join @GoodLifeEats and @BakingAddiction for a Holiday Recipe Exchange. See how you can participate (and WIN) here: http://bit.ly/9YCFgA Pls RT
• Sample Tweet 2: Enter CHOCOLATE recipes in @GoodLifeEats & @BakingAddiction Recipe Exchange 4 chance @ $100 @scharffenberger gift http://wp.me/p14Uvo-14V
• Sample Tweet 3: Have a winning CHOCOLATE recipe? Share in @GoodLifeEats & @BakingAddiction Recipe Exchange 4 chance @ $100 GIFT http://wp.me/p14Uvo-14V
• Sample Tweet 4: Vote 4 my CHOCOLATE recipe in @GoodLifeEats & @BakingAddiction Recipe Exch so I can win $100 @scharffenberger basket http://wp.me/p14Uvo-14V

More Chocolate Recipes:

• Recipe Exchange: Chocolate Gingerbread
• Holiday Recipe Exchange: Chocolate Pecan Tart
• Oatmeal Almond Chocolate Chunk Cookies
• Homemade Chocolate-Dipped Marshmallows
• Chocolate Chip Cookies – 2 Ways
• Cannoli Sandwich Cookies
• White Chocolate Pudding
• Chocolate Buttermilk Cupcakes
• Triple Chocolate Chunk Cookies

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