Chocolate sourdough bread

Name: Chocolate sourdough bread
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 55 min
Ingredients: 120 g active sourdough starter; 400 g all-purpose flour (use 200 g for 2 people; increase evenly for more than 4); 40 g unsweetened cocoa powder; 60 g sugar; 8 g salt; 300 ml warm water; 80 g dark chocolate chunks (halve for 2 servings; increase proportionally for larger batches); 1 tablespoon olive oil

Ever feel like your sourdough routine needs something a little cozier? Chocolate sourdough bread is the kind of loaf that turns an ordinary afternoon into something special. It has that gentle tang from the starter, balanced with deep cocoa flavor and little pockets of melted chocolate in every slice. I like to mix it up on a quiet evening and let the dough rest overnight while the house winds down. It’s comforting without being too sweet, making it perfect for breakfast toast, an after-school snack, or a simple dessert on a cold night.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Wish you had a baking project that feels special but still fits into real life? This chocolate sourdough bread brings rich flavor without complicated steps. The dough comes together with simple pantry staples, and the slow rise does most of the work for you.
Looking for something cozy enough to save for later? This loaf is freezer-friendly, so you can bake once and enjoy slices throughout the week. It’s also budget-friendly since it uses your active sourdough starter and basic ingredients.
Need something flexible for your family? You can serve it warm with butter, turn it into French toast, or pack it into lunchboxes. It feels bakery-worthy but still completely doable in a home kitchen.

Ingredients

120 g active sourdough starter (about ½ cup)
400 g all-purpose flour (about 3 cups; use 200 g for 2 people or increase proportionally for more than 4)
40 g unsweetened cocoa powder (about ½ cup)
60 g sugar (about ¼ cup; reduce slightly for 2 people if halving recipe)

Instructions

Step 1: Preparation
Worried about lumpy cocoa in your dough? In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt until the color looks even. Add the sourdough starter, warm water, and olive oil. Stir with a wooden spoon until a shaggy dough forms.

Step 2: Main Cooking Process
Not sure how the dough should feel? Knead gently for about 8–10 minutes until it becomes soft and slightly elastic. It may feel a little sticky from the cocoa. Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled, about 4–6 hours.

Step 3: Combining Ingredients
Wondering when to add the chocolate chunks? Once the dough has risen, flatten it gently and scatter the chocolate evenly over the surface. Fold and knead lightly just until the pieces are tucked inside. Shape into a round loaf and place on parchment.

Step 4: Finishing & Final Simmer
Concerned about baking time for different portions? Preheat oven to 220°C (425°F). Bake for 30–35 minutes until the crust feels firm and sounds hollow when tapped. For a smaller loaf serving 2, check at 25 minutes; for larger batches, add 5–10 minutes.

Why This Recipe Works for Busy Days

Need something you can plan ahead without stress? This dough rises mostly on its own, so you can mix it in the evening and bake the next day. It slices well and stays fresh for days, which makes it great for meal prep. If you double it for more than 4 people, you’ll have extra loaves ready to freeze.

Tips & Tricks

Ever end up with dense sourdough? Make sure your starter is active and bubbly before mixing. A sleepy starter leads to heavy bread. If baking for 2, still use a strong starter even when halving ingredients. For bigger batches, feed extra starter the day before.
Struggling with dry texture? Cocoa absorbs moisture, so don’t skip the full amount of water. The dough should feel soft, not stiff. When scaling up for more than 4 servings, add water slowly and stop once the dough feels slightly tacky.
Unsure about chocolate distribution? Chop chunks evenly so they melt into small pockets instead of large gaps. For smaller loaves, use slightly smaller pieces. If doubling the recipe, mix the chocolate in two stages to keep it evenly spread.
Worried about overbaking? Keep an eye on the crust color. Cocoa makes it darker, so rely on the hollow sound test. Smaller loaves bake faster, while larger ones need a few extra minutes. Let it cool fully before slicing to keep the crumb soft.

Variations

Meaty version
Craving a sweet-and-savory twist? Add small crispy bacon bits to the dough along with the chocolate for a bold flavor mix. Keep the total add-ins balanced so the dough still rises well. For 2 people, use just a spoonful; for larger batches, increase evenly.

Vegetarian option
Looking for extra texture without meat? Stir in chopped toasted walnuts or pecans. They add crunch and pair beautifully with chocolate. If halving the recipe, reduce nuts to a small handful. When baking for more than 4, double the nuts carefully to avoid overcrowding the dough.

Ingredient swap
Out of dark chocolate chunks? Use chocolate chips or even chopped milk chocolate for a sweeter loaf. Keep the measurement the same for 4 servings. For smaller portions, simply reduce by half; for larger groups, increase in equal proportion.

Flavor or herb boost
Want a deeper flavor? Add a teaspoon of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract to the dough. These small touches lift the chocolate notes. When scaling for more than 4 servings, increase spices gradually and taste the dough to avoid overpowering it.

Serving Suggestions

Warm Breakfast Toast
Thinking about a cozy morning treat? Slice and toast the bread lightly, then spread with butter or cream cheese. For 2 people, bake a smaller loaf and enjoy it fresh. For brunch with more than 4, double the recipe and serve on a large board.
Simple Dessert Plate
Need an easy dessert idea? Serve thick slices with fresh berries and a drizzle of honey. It feels special without extra baking. When hosting a bigger group, slice two loaves thinly so everyone gets a piece.
OLunchbox Treat
Looking for something homemade but not too sweet? Cut into small squares for lunchboxes. A single loaf serves 4 comfortably for snacks. For just 2 people, freeze half so it stays fresh.
French Toast Twist
Want to try something different on the weekend? Use slightly stale slices to make chocolate French toast. If cooking for more than 4, prepare a second loaf and cook in batches so slices stay crisp.

Storage Instructions

Fridge storage
Wondering how to keep it fresh? Store cooled slices in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. For 2 people, slice and store half while freezing the rest. Larger batches should be divided into smaller containers to keep moisture balanced.
Reheating
Concerned about dryness after chilling? Toast slices lightly or warm them in a 160°C (320°F) oven for 5–7 minutes. Smaller slices heat faster. If reheating from a bigger batch, warm only what you need to avoid repeated cooling.
Freezing
Planning ahead for busy weeks? Wrap slices individually and freeze up to 2 months. For 4 servings, freeze half if not using within a few days. When baking for more than 4, freeze extra loaves whole and thaw overnight.
Make-ahead tips
Need to prep in advance? Mix the dough and let it rise overnight in the fridge. This works well whether making a smaller loaf for 2 or doubling for a gathering. Bring it to room temperature before baking for even texture.

Recipe Timing

Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:35 minutes
Rest Time: 4–6 hours
Total Time:6 hours

Nutrition Information

Concerned about what’s in each slice? Each serving contains about 260–320 calories and 6–8 g of protein. It also provides small amounts of iron from cocoa and fiber from the flour. Values are estimates and may vary depending on ingredients and portion sizes.

FAQs

Yes, prepare the dough the night before and bake the next day.

Your starter may not have been active enough. Make sure it’s bubbly.

Yes, replace up to half the flour. The loaf may be slightly heavier.

Too much flour or overbaking can cause dryness. Check earlier for smaller loaves.

Conclusion

Thinking about your next cozy baking day? Chocolate sourdough bread is one of those recipes that feels comforting without being complicated. You can keep it simple or play with flavors, adjust it for 2 people, or double it when friends come over. It stores well, freezes beautifully, and tastes just as good toasted the next morning. Once you try it, you’ll see how easily it fits into everyday life. Bake it once, save the recipe, and come back to it whenever you need something warm and homemade.