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Chocolate Swirl Bread

A delicious twist on the Japanese milk loaf. Two types of dough - milk and chocolate - rolled together to create a swirly effect.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Resting time 1 hour 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Bread, Breakfast
Servings 8 slices

Equipment

  • Breadmaker

Ingredients
  

For the tangzhong

  • 40 grams water
  • 40 grams milk full cream
  • 15 grams bread flour

For the dough

  • 130 grams milk full cream
  • 1 egg large
  • 70 grams granulated sugar
  • 60 grams unsalted butter melted
  • 300 grams bread flour
  • 15 grams milk powder full cream
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 10 grams cocoa powder

Instructions
 

  • First, make the tangzhong. In a small skillet, add the water, milk, and bread flour. Whisk to combine and remove any lumps.
  • Transfer to the stove and turn the heat on to low. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture thickens and the whisk leaves lines on the bottom of the pan, about 3 minutes.
  • Transfer to a small container and let cool to lukewarm.
  • Next, make the dough. In your mixing bowl or breadmaker pan, add the tangzhong, 115 grams of milk, the egg, sugar, and melted butter.
  • Add the bread flour, milk powder, yeast and salt.
  • Mix and knead, until a smooth, elastic dough forms, 15 to 18 minutes. If using a breadmaker, transfer the pan to your machine, and start the Dough Program and let the machine finish the knead cycle.
  • Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled surface.
  • Divide the dough into 2 equal-sized pieces.
  • Shape one piece of dough into a ball. Set aside.
  • In a small bowl, add the cocoa powder and remaining 15 ml (1 tablespoon) milk. Stir until thoroughly combined.
  • Work the cocoa paste into the second piece of dough, until evenly combined.
  • Shape the chocolate dough into a ball.
  • Place the dough balls in lightly oiled bowls and let rest in a warm place, covered, until doubled in size, 1 hour.
  • Transfer the white dough to a lightly oiled surface. Gently press down the dough to let out the air. Reshape the dough into a ball. Repeat with the chocolate dough. Cover and let rest, another 15 minutes.
  • Lightly grease a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with butter.
  • After the dough has rested, roll the white dough into a 6- by 8-inch rectangle. The short edge should be facing you.
  • Repeat with the chocolate dough.
  • Stack the white dough on top of the chocolate dough.
  • Leaving about 2 inches of space from the top, cut 8 to 9 slits along the length of the dough.
  • Working with one strip at a time, twist the dough 3 or 4 times.
  • Stretch out the top part of the dough to the same width as the twisted parts.
  • Starting from the bottom, roll the dough tightly upward.
  • Place the roll in the loaf pan.
  • Cover and let rise, another 30 minutes.
  • Towards the end of the rest time, preheat the oven to 180 degrees C (fan 160 degrees C).
  • Sprinkle the top of the loaf with flour.
  • Transfer to the oven and bake, 20 minutes.
  • Remove the loaf from the pan immediately, and let cool on a wire rack.