Cocoa Infused Bread

Good day everyone! 

I know it's been long since I post a new recipe here. So I'm gonna redeem myself today. This evening I was making a good chocolate braids that according to my sisters, taste like a cake! I'm not sure which part of it that taste like cake cause I'm definitely certain that it tasted like a good white loaf bread instead, just in chocolate color. 

And I bet it tastes as good toasted with a little butter! Can't wait to try it yourself? No sweat, here's the recipe. 

Chocolate Braids

• 1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 cup Milk, warm
• 2 1/4 tsp Instant yeast
• 2 Tbsp Softened butter
• 1 Egg, unbeaten
• 1/2 ts Vanilla Essence
• 3 cups All purpose flour
• 1/4 c Unsweetened cocoa powder

1. Combine sugar and warm milk in a big bowl. Stir to melt the sugar a little. Then, sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk. Let stand for 5 minutes
2. Add in softened butter + egg + vanilla essence. Stir everything to combine. Then add all the flour and cocoa powder. Stir everything until becoming a dough. Use your hand to knead the dough for a few minutes to get a smooth, soft ball. 
3. Lightly coat the dough and the bowl with olive oil, then cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Let rise for 45 minutes or until double in size
4. Once the dough has rising, punch it down to let the air out. Knead a few times then let it relax
5. Making the braid: Cut the dough into six equal parts
6. Roll each ball into 10" ropes, using 3 ropes to twist into braid. This will make two braids of chocolate loaves
7. Let rise again for 30 minutes. Before baking, brush tops with egg white then sprinkle over sesame seeds...
8. Bake for 18 - 20 minutes in 200 C preheated oven . When you check into it, tap the crust with your knuckle. If it sounds hollow, it's ready then
9. Cool on cooling rack before cutting into it. I know it's not easy, but you'll cut it easier this way
10. Serve with softened butter and a glass of orange juice or a cup of coffee if you prefer...

* This is not a dessert bread. So don't expect it to be overtly sweet. It hints just a little of sweetness when you bite into it.

I'm submitting this to yeastspotting!