What is chocolate brioche?

Chocolate brioche is a rich, sweet bread made with an enriched dough that includes eggs, butter, milk, and cocoa powder or chocolate. It’s soft, tender, and often braided or rolled with chocolate filling for extra decadence.

What makes brioche different from regular bread?

Brioche has a higher fat content than regular bread, thanks to the butter and eggs. This gives it a richer flavor and softer texture. With its light sweetness and delicate crumb, brioche leans more toward pastry than traditional bread.

Can I proof chocolate brioche dough overnight?

Yes. Chilling the dough overnight in the refrigerator after its first rise helps develop deeper flavor and makes shaping easier the next day. Just let it sit at room temperature for about 30 to 60 minutes before continuing with the recipe.

Why is my brioche dough sticky?

Sticky dough is common with enriched recipes. If it’s too hard to handle, chill it for 15 to 20 minutes and lightly flour your surface. The butter and eggs can make the dough soft, but proper handling brings great results.

Ultimate Chocolate Brioche Recipe – 3 Delicious Variations for Joyful Baking

Name: The Ultimate Chocolate Brioche (Rich Cocoa Brioche Recipe)
Prep time: 2 h
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 6 h
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: 1⅓ cups (160 g) plain all-purpose flour; 1¼ cups full-fat milk; 1 tablespoon quick-rise yeast; 1 large egg; 1¾ cups whole milk; 1 tablespoon instant yeast; ⅔ cup (133 g) white granulated sugar; ½ cup (42 g) unsweetened cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt; 5½ cups (687 g) all-purpose flour, with extra for dusting; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened; 2¼ cups (4¼ sticks) unsalted butter, cool and pliable; Softened unsalted butter, for greasing the pan; Raw sugar, for coating the pan; ⅓ cup (66 g) packed dark brown sugar; 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar, plus more for coating; 3 oz dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces; 1 large egg

The Ultimate Chocolate Brioche (Rich Cocoa Brioche Recipe)

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Soft, rich cocoa brioche layered with dark chocolate chunks, shaped into buns or braids, and finished with a caramelized sugar crust.

Author: Patricia
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 6 hours
Yield: 18 buns 1x
Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French-American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

For the Starter:

1⅓ cups (160 g) plain all-purpose flour

1¼ cups full-fat milk

1 tablespoon quick-rise yeast

For the Dough:

1 large egg

1¾ cups whole milk

1 tablespoon instant yeast

⅔ cup (133 g) white granulated sugar

½ cup (42 g) unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon kosher salt

5½ cups (687 g) all-purpose flour, with extra for dusting

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

2¼ cups (4¼ sticks) unsalted butter, cool and pliable

For the Filling and Assembly:

Softened unsalted butter, for greasing the pan

Raw sugar, for coating the pan

⅓ cup (66 g) packed dark brown sugar

1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon kosher salt

⅓ cup (66 g) granulated sugar, plus more for coating

3 oz dark chocolate, chopped into small pieces

1 large egg

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Instructions

1. Combine starter ingredients and let rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

2. Add dough ingredients and mix until a smooth dough forms. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.

3. Prepare butter layer by spreading into a 16×12 inch rectangle between parchment. Chill.

4. Roll dough into 24×12 inch rectangle. Place butter over lower two-thirds. Fold like a letter, roll out again, fold once more, and chill 1 hour.

5. Repeat fold and chill once. Divide into 3, wrap, and chill.

6. Grease jumbo muffin tins and sprinkle with raw sugar. Mix filling sugars, cinnamon, and salt.

7. Roll dough, cut into strips, braid, add filling, and coil into spirals. Place in muffin cups.

8. Let rise 30–60 minutes. Brush with egg wash and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes. Cool in pan 2 minutes, then on rack.

9. Coat cooled buns in sugar and enjoy. Repeat with remaining dough or save for later.

Notes

You can refrigerate the dough overnight or freeze for up to 2 months.

Store finished buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 day.

Try adding espresso powder or orange zest to customize the flavor.

Nutritional values are approximate and intended for general guidance only. While we strive for accuracy, the actual nutrition of any recipe may vary based on ingredients and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bun
Calories: 310
Sugar: 12g
Sodium: 210mg
Fat: 18g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 32g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 5g
Cholesterol: 65mg

Find it online: https://www.simplefamilydishes.com/chocolate-brioche-recipe/