![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.therowdybaker.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/12\/Chocolate-Walnut-Holiday-Bread-The-Rowdy-Baker.jpg?resize=584%2C876\")
Pull off a branch of this Christmas tree and bite into tender bread layered with creamy dark chocolate and ground walnuts. I couldn’t resist adding maraschino cherries to make the bread even more festive. It’s rich without being too sweet, and the chocolate flavor really stands out.<\/p>\n
This dough needs to chill overnight, so make it in the evening, let it rise, and then put it in the fridge until the next day.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I’m sure you’ve seen variations of this idea, often using puff pastry and hazelnut spread. (Check out YouTube for this option.) It would have been much easier, but I wanted to make things difficult, of course, preferring a soft, puffy 3-D appearance.<\/p>\n I’m posting this at the last moment, but inspiration just struck today and I had to bake this. If you’re too busy this Christmas, the strips of layered dough could easily be woven into a heart for Valentine’s Day. Or you could simply roll the dough out, spread with the chocolate mixture, roll up and slice, and bake like cinnamon rolls.<\/p>\n This is undeniably messy to make. You will get chocolate on your hands, on the counter, and on the bread itself. But your hands and the counter will wash, and the chocolate smears on the dough just makes the bread prettier, honest!<\/p>\n Since this is a last minute slam-dunk, I’ll dispense with my usual chit chat and just go right to the recipe!<\/p>\n Dissolve yeast until bubbly in very warm water with a pinch of sugar.<\/p><\/div>\n Combine warm milk mixture, yeast, and eggs.<\/p><\/div>\n Mix in flour and salt, then knead in softened butter. Dough will be soft and will stick to the bowl. That’s okay!<\/p><\/div>\n Scrape dough into buttered bowl. Flip over to coat both sides and let rise until doubled. Cover with plastic and refrigerate overnight.<\/p><\/div>\n Finely grind the walnuts in a food processor for about 10 seconds.<\/p><\/div>\n Heat cream, butter, and chocolate until smooth. Stir in nuts and flour.<\/p><\/div>\n Drop chilled dough onto floured surface. Use hands to make a long roll, then roll it out 24×14<\/p><\/div>\n Spread with filling<\/p><\/div>\n Cut into three equal pieces and roll each from the long edge.<\/p><\/div>\n <\/p>\n Use a sharp knife (or pizza cutter) to slice up the middle of two rolls. This is where it starts getting messy!<\/p><\/div>\n First layer, place 4 branches, then top with uncut roll for trunk<\/p><\/div>\n Add another layer of branches. Get creative! Twist and pull to shape it, then add maraschino cherries.<\/p><\/div>\n I’m in love with the way this dough turned out. It was so soft I had my doubts, but once it was chilled, it was very<\/em> cooperative. I’ll be playing with it more in the future, for sure.<\/p>\n TIPS:<\/p>\n Merry, Merry Christmas!<\/p>\n Lorinda<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Pull off a branch of this Christmas tree and bite into tender bread layered with creamy dark chocolate and ground walnuts. I couldn’t resist adding maraschino cherries to make the bread even more festive. It’s rich without being too sweet, … Continue reading \t\nChocolate Walnut Holiday Bread<\/div>\n<\/div>\nAuthor: The Rowdy Baker<\/span><\/div>\n\nIngredients<\/div>\n\n
\nInstructions<\/div>\n\n\n
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