This chocolate bread recipe is a quick bread recipe (made without yeast) that can also be called a chocolate loaf cake.
It’s a delicious dessert that’s easy to make, ready in a little over an hour, and lovely for a fun breakfast, after-dinner dessert or even to package up and gift to friends and family.
Loaf cake recipes are one of my favorite sweet breads. They’re usually really easy to make, use simple ingredients and they can be made in so many different ways.
Add a little sour cream and buttermilk to this recipe, and you’re heading to a moist bread recipe. The cocoa and chocolate chips added to the bread batter give this loaf cake a delicious amount of chocolate.
If you love bread recipes like this one, then you will also enjoy my pumpkin bread recipe, this buttermilk banana bread, and this chocolate bread pudding recipe.
Chocolate Bread Recipe Highlights
- Easy to Make – Mixing the dry ingredients together, then the wet, and then combine, and bake! Great recipe for beginners or even just if a chocolate craving hits!
- Moist – Adding buttermilk to a sweet bread recipe is a great way to ensure that it will be a moist slice of cake bread.
- Simple Ingredients – The ingredients required for this recipe tend to be kitchen staples so you may even already have what you need. If not, the ingredients can easily be found at most grocery stores.
Key Ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need to make this easy chocolate loaf.
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
- Dry Ingredients: All-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, brown sugar, chocolate chips, and baking powder.
- Wet Ingredients: Buttermilk, vanilla, eggs, oil, and sour cream.
How to Make Chocolate Loaf Bread
Start by preheating the oven to 350° F. Spray or grease the inside of a loaf pan and set aside. Or, line the loaf pan with parchment paper (cutting the corners so it fits better).
Recipe Tips:
- Allow to Rest/Cool: Allow the bread to rest in the loaf pan for a few minutes before removing or slicing. If possible, lift out of loaf pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Baking Time: Ovens can bake differently, and loaf pan thickness can vary, causing the baking time to differ, so it’s important to check on it the first time making it, so as not to overbake it.
- Optional Frosting: Feel free to add a chocolate frosting to the top of this loaf cake, if desired. Just be sure to allow it to fully cool before doing so. Or spread this mint buttercream frosting on top.
Storing Tips
Chocolate bread can be stored at room temperature on the counter, in an airtight container, or a storage bag. This should stay fresh for 3-4 days.
If freezing, allow the chocolate loaf cake to cool completely. Wrap in plastic wrap or Press ‘n Seal, and then in a freezer bag or container for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw at room temperature and enjoy.
Chocolate Bread Variations
- Instead of frosting, sprinkle powdered sugar on top for a lighter topping.
- For Christmas, spread chocolate buttercream on top and sprinkle on crushed peppermint candies like I did in this Christmas Chocolate Cake.
- Instead of chocolate chips, butterscotch or peanut butter baking chips could be used for a flavor variation.
Recipe FAQs
When made in to a chocolate loaf, slice in to individual slices and enjoy as is or spread butter on each slice.
A chocolate loaf cake is made in a loaf pan or bread pan instead of a circular or rectangular pan.
A quick bread, or sweet bread can be made without yeast. Quick breads use baking powder to help the bread rise.
More Chocolate Dessert Recipes
Have more of the same ingredients? Whip up a second loaf of this chocolate bread recipe and give it to your neighbors!
Did you make this? I’d be so grateful if you left a “star” rating below to let me know what you thought! Then, the next time you need a quick and easy recipe, come back to Fantabulosity to browse all of my easy recipes!
Recipe
Chocolate Bread
Equipment
- 1 loaf pan
- 2 mixing bowls
- 1 Whisk
Ingredients
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1½ cups brown sugar
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ¾ cup canola oil or vegetable oil
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 2 large eggs
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Grease a loaf pan and set aside.In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and brown sugar.In another bowl, whisk together buttermilk, oil, sour cream, eggs and vanilla.
- Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the wet ingredients. Stir together until about halfway combined.
- Add chocolate chips and stir until the batter just comes together.
- Pour into the prepared loaf pan and bake for 55 to 70 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
Notes
- Allow to Rest/Cool: Allow the bread to rest in the loaf pan for a few minutes before removing or slicing. If possible, lift out of loaf pan and allow to cool on a wire rack.
- Baking Time: Ovens can bake differently, and loaf pan thickness can vary, causing the baking time to differ, so it’s important to check on it the first time making it, so as not to overbake it.
- Optional Frosting: Feel free to add a chocolate frosting to the top of this loaf cake, if desired. Just be sure to allow it to fully cool before doing so. Or spread this mint buttercream frosting on top.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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