Nothing beats fresh bread. Well, maybe some things do. But not much.
Like, I’ve heard that winning the lottery is pretty awesome. But if that happens to you, you’re not supposed to tell anyone or they’ll be trying to bum your winnings. I guess you’re supposed to pretend that the new mansion (complete with pool, personal trainer and stylist) came from a modest amount that a rich uncle left you upon his passing.
Fresh bread is nothing to keep secret. Oh, no. You have to share it liberally, announcing to one and all that you have a fresh loaf to be eaten. Especially a loaf like this one. It’s got a delicious almond chocolate filling, so it bridges the gap between actual food and dessert. I had it for breakfast!
My son’s birthday was this past weekend, following hard on the heels of Purim, a celebratory Jewish holiday. I’ll show you my Cruella DeVil outfit in a bit. Suffice it to say, we had a busy four days of straight partying. My kids are so sugared up that they can’t see straight.
Celebrations are nice, but for the people who throw them, they’re nothing short of one thing after another. Like, I forgot the birthday candles. Yep, totally spaced them. Luckily, the boy’s cake was blinged out enough without one.
And my Cruella costume was lacking actual fur. For one thing, I couldn’t bring myself to wear one. For another, it was 75 degrees out.
Okay, back to bread. Say hello to your bread machine, because it does all the work for you! Have I mentioned how in love with my bread machine I am? Have I? Have I?
Yeah, yeah, I know. But this miraculous contraption literally lets me set it and forget it, which not a whole lot of life allows anybody to do. Imagine if we could just set and forget everything, from dinner to housework to actual work. Then we wouldn’t need to win the lottery in order to have personal assistants and whatnot.
This bread is made doubly simple by the filling. It’s simply the almond pastry spread they sell in the bakery aisle combined with mini chocolate chips. See? No effort, folks! I’m down with that!
And who can resist the sprinkling of almonds on top? Not me!
It’s been a crazy week, folks, and now I’m heading for some much-needed downtime over spring break. Join me in relaxing over a slice or two of bread!
Chocolate Almond Swirl Bread
Ingredients
Dough
1 cup warm water (you can use almond milk for more richness)
2 eggs at room temperature
1/3 cup margarine, melted (substitute butter if desired)
4 and 1/2 cups bread flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 and 1/2 teaspoons yeast
Filling
1 can almond pastry filling (I used Solo)
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
Topping
1 beaten egg
1/2 cup blanched sliced almonds
Instructions
- Place all the dough ingredients into the bread machine in the order indicated by the manufacturer. Typically, wet ingredients go in the pan first, followed by the dry. Select the dough cycle and press start.
- When the cycle is complete, turn the dough out onto a floured surface and let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Roll the dough out into a large rectangle measuring roughly 16 by 21 inches. Spread the almond pastry filling evenly on top and then sprinkle the miniature chocolate chips over the surface.
- Working with the short end first (you want the bread to be fatter than longer), roll up the dough tightly to form an oblong shape, similar to a cake roll.
- Place the bread on a baking sheet and cover with plastic wrap. Let it rise until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350.
- Brush the top of the loaf with beaten egg and sprinkle the almonds on top.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes until golden brown. Cut into slices.
3.1
https://justaboutbaked.com/chocolate-almond-swirl-bread/
Mir – That outfit is SPOT ON, and so is this bread. I totally am partied out from a weekend of cake and Easter dinner. I’m planning on eating really well for the rest of this week, but I may have to sneak in a few slices of this bread.
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Mint Oreo Thin Cheesecake Truffles
Eating well is balance, right? Have some bread, Erin! π
Your costume is amazing, Mir! Love it! Sounds like you had a busy but fun-filled weekend. Happy birthday to your son! And I agree, there is nothing quite like fresh bread. This chocolate almond bread sounds incredible. Wish I had a slice (or three) to go along with my coffee this morning!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Baked Garlic Parmesan Potato Wedges
Fresh bread is just my happy place. I wish I made it more!
First of all, since you are the total OPPOSITE of Cruella, I think your costume was amazingly creative, and you still look adorable! Second, we need to see a picture of the blinged out cake. And third…THAT BREAD. I can smell the gorgeous aroma through my screen…pinned!
I dunno, Kate. I have my evil side. π I wanted to show you the cake, but the pic didn’t go well on my blog. It’s on IG!
I agree! Fresh bread is the best π This recipe looks amazing, I’ll have to try it soon!
Megan – The Emotional Baker recently posted…Cookie Butter Loversβ Cookies
Thanks, Megan. It makes a HUGE loaf. Enough to share!
Mir, love love love the Cruella DeVil outfit !!!! it’s perfect! so fun! and happy birthday to your son! you are right. . nothing beats homemade bread. . and wow, chocolate and an almond swirl?! this bread is stunning! Enjoy spring break this week!!!!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Menchi Katsu Burgers
Thanks, Alice! I’m loving spring break. In Florida right now, soaking up some sun and sand without the kids. It’s unreal!
Girl, I couldn’t agree more, nothing beats freshly baked bread… though I haven’t won the lottery ever, so I’m not sure which one is better. π Someone needs to send me the winning ticket just so I can find out. Ha. Anyways, bread. This bread looks beyond fabulous, Mir! That almond chocolate filling sounds and looks seriously delicious! This is bread fit for a queen… or a Cruella. π Hahaha. LOVE that costume! And this Bread! Cheers, dear and have a wonderful spring break!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Naan Pizza with Asparagus Pesto, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese & Fontina
I would love to have the winning ticket, Chey. But I’d have to buy one to make that happen to begin with!
Love your costume Mir! And thanks for not keeping this recipe a secret! The bread looks awesome! Pinned and will definitely make it!
mira recently posted…Snapple Straight Upβ’ Tea Moments
Thanks, Mira! I always share. Recipes are no fun kept secret!
Fresh baked bread is the best and you don’t have to tell anyone because that wonderful aroma of it in the oven will have everyone coming to the kitchen! I really wish I had this as a breakfast option because Monday’s really need chocolate. Love the costume! Enjoy your down time! Oh! And happy birthday to your little one!
It does smell better than anything. I love it!
That costume is the bomb, and bread is the BEST THING EVER. Especially when you add chocolate!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Reeseβs Stuffed Chocolate Chip Cookies
Thanks, Dorothy. I love channeling my bad side! π
Costume looks so fun Mir! Happy Birthday to your son!! Nothing beats a homemade bread especially when it has chocolate inside!! Nomnom!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Eggless Coconut Cookies + VIDEO!
Nope, nothing better than chocolate in my bread!
But, if you won the lottery then you would be able to just spend all day baking bread, so it’s the best of both worlds. That’s the dream I think!
I am loving the costume!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Roasted Red Pepper and Spinach Lasagne by Sam Bresnahan
No, I would still bake. I’d bake more, because then I’d have more time!
Not nice! I haven’t eaten yet today and this bread is ALL I want now! So yum! I love your Cruella costume! You rock…your kids must get the biggest kick out of you! π
annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Roasted Root Vegetables
Ha! They do sometimes, Annie. But I can still be a Mean Mommy!