chocolate chip focaccia bread;
Start with a fluffy, easy overnight focaccia bread, but instead of making it savory, add chocolate! Because everything is best with chocolate, especially this chocolate chip focaccia bread! I started with my easy overnight focaccia recipe and then not only added chocolate chips to the top, but we had to go all in for a chocolate swirl throughout the bread. The chocolate chips aren’t quite enough chocolate on their own–you need that ganache swirl to keep you coming back for more.
To make the filling I started with a melted butter base. Mixing butter with chopped chocolate will give it a bit more of a softer and silkier ganache texture. I also added in some hot chocolate mix as a nod to the inspiration from this hot chocolate focaccia bread but I wanted more chocolate and less hot chocolate in the chocolate swirl. Think chocolate babka filling. If you don’t have a hot chocolate packet lying around, just use equal parts cocoa powder and powdered sugar (1/2 Tbsp each).
If you don’t have hot chocolate powder just lying around, use equal parts cocoa powder + powdered sugar instead.
Secret to success
This contrasts the solid chocolate chips and also makes it easier to chew, a good complement to the bread itself, and it helps make sure you get chocolate in every bite. A key to chocolate chip focaccia. Make sure not to use mini chocolate chips on top. Because the bake time, they’ll burn. So use classic, large chocolate chips.
Use classic large chocolate chips, not mini ones, otherwise they’ll burn in the oven.
Secret to success
I’ve struggled with getting a nice color to the top of this recipe, especially since I don’t want to overbake it. Make sure you drizzle butter or oil over top of the bread for starters, since that will help the top fry a bit in the oven and help create that signature crust. But if your tops are still looking a little pale, then you can broil the bread.
Make sure you bake your chocolate chip focaccia loaf for the appropriate time before turning the oven to a high broil and return your chocolate chip focaccia to the oven. You want to place the bread on a low or medium rack in the oven so it’s not too close to the flame.
If you’re bread’s looking a little pale, try the broiler–but then watch it like a hawk!
secret to success
These photos are from a second batch I had to make recently because I scorched my first batch of bread. It was still plenty tasty, and don’t you worry I didn’t let it go to waste. Oh no, I have to make another batch…so sad! So, learn from my lessons: whenever you broil something, watch it like a hawk! It still turned out great, but I should have remember to coat the top of the loaf with butter and taken it out from the broiler 2 minutes sooner.
For extra sweetness you can add a drizzle of icing (milk + powdered sugar) or make a quick ganache dipping sauce (cream or butter + chocolate).
For the glaze icing I don’t really follow an exact recipe, I just mix milk and powdered sugar together until I get the right consistency. Usually I start with a Tbsp of milk and about ⅓ cup powdered sugar but I usually add more powdered sugar until I get it thick but still drizzle-y. You can also add a splash of vanilla if you want a little extra subtle flavor.
For extra sweetness, try serving with a dip: glaze icing or a chocolate ganache are great options!
Secret to success
If you want to embrace the chocolate theme and dip your chocolate chip focaccia in even more chocolate, then go with a ganache dip. I usually use about 3 Tbsp melted butter or ¼ cup cream and heat in the microwave until hot. Add ½ cup chocolate chips and stir until melted through. If the chocolate isn’t quite melting all the way, I’d zap it another few seconds in the microwave. But not too much, you really just want to hear it enough that the residual heat of the liquid will melt the chocolate. Serve warm, it will become thick if allowed to cool overnight.
Of course, why stop there? Try Nutella if you don’t feel like making your own ganache, or a caramel would be lovely as well. Or make homemade marshmallow hot fudge. The possibilities are endless! And chocolatey delicious!
secrets to success;
Want all the best tips and tricks to make this recipe a success? Check out the blog post above to find out more!
more recipes;
Looking for other sweet treats? These are sure to be a hit any time of the year!
- For my classic savory focaccia bread, try the base recipe here. Or for another sweet bread, try cinnamon sugar focaccia bread with a sweet drizzly glaze.
- Try my s’mores cinnamon rolls for a chocolatey take on a morning bun. Stuffed with chocolate and topped with marshmallows, they’re a treat!
- Perfectly chewy chocolate chip oatmeal cookies are a breeze and so, so tasty. You can never go wrong with the classics!
chocolate chip focaccia bread;
Ingredients
focaccia bread;
- 2½ cups water lukewarm, for yeast
- 2¼ tsp yeast (1 packet)
- 2 tsp honey (or molasses)
- 5 cups flour
- 1 Tbsp salt (that's not a typo- 1 Tablespoon)
- 6 Tbsp olive oil plus additional for coating hands
- 1 Tbsp butter unsalted
chocolate swirl filling;
- 4 Tbsp butter salted
- 1 Tbsp hot chocolate powder (or equal parts cocoa powder + powdered sugar)
- 1 cup chocolate chips roughly chopped
chocolate chip topping;
- 2 Tbsp butter melted
- 1½ cups chocolate chips
Instructions
focaccia bread;
- In a measuring cup measure out 2½ c. lukewarm water and honey. Add yeast and allow to bloom approx 5 minutes.
- Add liquid to a large bowl. Add 5 cups flour and 1 Tbsp salt and mix with rubber spatula until the dough is cohesive and no dryness remains.
- Oil a large bowl with 4 Tbsp olive oil. You’ll want a bowl large enough to handle the rising. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight until doubled in size.
- Using the Tbsp of butter, generously grease a 9" x 13" baking pan (best for sandwiches) or an 13” x 18" rimmed baking sheet (best for thin, snacking).
chocolate swirl filling;
- In a small bowl, add ½ cup butter and microwave until melted.
- Add in 1 Tbsp hot chocolate mix and 1 cup roughly chopped chocolate. It will partially melt, it's fine if there are still chunks.
- Using a spoon, spread the chocolate filling over the flattened dough, smear into a roughly even layer. Oil your hands and then fold the dough into thirds. Turn so the long side matches the long side of the pan.
- Allow to rise 1½ – 4 hours uncovered in a warm, dry spot.
chocolate chip topping;
- Stretch the dough into the corners of the pan, then coat your hands in olive oil and dimple the focaccia all over with your fingers.
- Melt 2 Tbsp butter in the microwave and use a pastry brush to spread the butter across the top of the focaccia.
- Scatter 1½ cup chocolate chips over top. Press chocolate chips firmly into the top of the bread. Bake 20-30 minutes until golden all over.
- (Optional) If the top looks a bit pale, rather than overbake the bread, turn the oven to a high broil and add the bread back to the oven on a middle or lower rack. Watch carefully until the top is golden brown and then remove immediately to cool.
1 Comments
Laura
December 28, 2024 at 1:48 pm
Fun take on focaccia–add chocolate! And not as sweet as something like a chocolate chip cookie.