Description
Chocolate donut bread is a moist, chocolatey loaf bread with a sugar-coated exterior and a rich ganache topping like a donut transformed into a decadent dessert loaf. Perfect for breakfast, brunch, or anytime you crave something sweet, this easy recipe combines bold cocoa flavor, tender crumb, and glossy ganache for an indulgent treat that’s sure to impress.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Bread:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ cups packed light brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ tsp espresso powder
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- 1¼ cups whole milk
- 1 large egg (room temperature)
- 2 tbsp melted butter
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
For the Ganache:
- 1 bag (11.5 oz) milk chocolate chips
- ¾ cup (6 oz) heavy whipping cream
Optional Add-ins:
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips
- 1 tsp orange zest or ½ tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8½ x 4½-inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together milk, egg, melted butter, and vanilla.
- Gradually stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack over parchment.
- Brush warm bread with melted butter. Combine sugar, cocoa, and nutmeg, then sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Heat cream until simmering, pour over chocolate chips, and let sit for 1–2 minutes. Stir until smooth.
- Drizzle ganache over cooled bread. Let set before slicing and serving
Notes
- Use high-quality cocoa for the richest flavor.
- Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender crumb.
- For gluten-free, use certified gluten-free flour.
- For vegan, use plant-based milk, butter, and chocolate chips.
- Bread keeps well for several days and freezes beautifully.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Breakfast
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg