Ingredients
Dry Ingredients:
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon (4g) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5g) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (3g) salt
- ½ cup (40g) unsweetened chocolate cocoa powder
- Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Wet Ingredients:
- 1 cup (240g) sourdough starter discard (or active starter)
- 1 cup (200g) light or dark brown sugar
- ½ cup (115g) melted butter or melted coconut oil (olive oil can be used but will alter flavor)
- ¾ cup (180g) milk
- 2 large eggs (120g)
- 1 teaspoon (4g) vanilla extract
Add-Ins:
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Optional: ½ cup nuts or dried fruit
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Lightly grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or line it with parchment paper, then set it aside to use later.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s ready for baking when your batter is prepared.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and unsweetened cocoa powder until fully combined and aerated.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix together the sourdough starter discard, brown sugar, melted butter or oil, eggs, vanilla extract, and milk until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gently add the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients bowl and stir just until the batter is combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the bread tender.
- Add Chocolate Chips and Optional Add-Ins: Fold in the chocolate chips along with any optional nuts or dried fruit for extra texture and flavor.
- Pour Batter into Pan: Transfer the sticky batter evenly into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top gently.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 55 to 65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the bread starts to brown too quickly on top, loosely cover it with aluminum foil to prevent burning.
- Cool the Bread: Once baked, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. This step helps prevent sogginess and ensures easier slicing.
- For Long Fermentation (Optional): To enhance flavor and digestibility, start the batter preparation 16 to 18 hours ahead. After mixing wet and dry ingredients and folding in add-ins, cover the mixture and allow a 4 to 6 hour rise at room temperature, followed by an overnight cold fermentation (12 hours) in the fridge. The next day, stir the dough before baking as above.
- Serve: Serve the bread warm or at room temperature, optionally dusted with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
Notes
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bread tender and moist.
- If the bread top browns too fast during baking, cover with foil to prevent burning.
- Use sourdough starter discard or active starter; discard helps reduce waste while adding flavor.
- For dairy-free option, substitute butter with coconut or olive oil and use a non-dairy milk alternative.
- Optional nuts or dried fruit add texture and additional flavor variations.
- Long fermentation improves flavor depth and digestibility but is optional.
- Let bread cool completely before slicing to maintain structure.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55-65 minutes
- Category: Quick Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian