Chocolate Bunny Bread

Chocolate bunnies?  How about a chocolatey loaf of bread shaped like a bunny instead?  OK, how about eating the bread first and then the usual chocolate bunnies for dessert?

Here's a recipe for a chocolate bread, with the added benefit of chocolate chips, shaped into a fun bunny for Easter.  If you want to sweeten it for the kids, decorate with frosting and jelly beans.

Chocolate Bunny Bread

• 3 1/4-3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 packages rapid rise yeast
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 1/3 cup milk or dark chocolate chips
• Decorations: jelly beans, frosting (optional)
 

In large bowl, combine 1 cup flour, sugar, cocoa powder, undissolved yeast and salt.  Heat milk, water, and butter until very warm (120-130°).  Gradually add to dry ingredients; beat 2 minutes at medium speed of electric mixer, scraping bowl occasionally. 
 
Add egg, vanilla and 1/2 cup flour, beat 2 minutes at high speed, scraping bowl occasionally.  With spoon, stir in enough additional flour to make soft dough.  Knead on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes.  Cover, let rest on floured surface 10 minutes.
 
Divide dough in half.  For the body; take one half, knead chocolate morsels into it, and form a ball.  Place on bottom end of large greased baking sheet; flatten to make 5-inch round. 
 
For head, remove 1/3 of remaining half, form into ball.  Place on large baking sheet above body, flatten slightly, pinching to attach. 
 
For nose, pinch off 1/2-inch ball from remaining dough; place on center of head. 
 
Divide remaining dough into 4 equal portions; roll each to form 6-inch ropes.  For arms, arrange 2 ropes across body; attach by tucking one end of each under body.  Shape remaining ropes into ears; arrange above head.  Attach by tucking one end of each under head. 
 
Cover, let rise in warm draft-free place until doubled in size, about 30-45 minutes.  Bake at 350° for 45-50 minutes or until done, covering with aluminum foil after 20 minutes to prevent excess browning.  Remove from sheet; cool on wire rack.  Decorate as desired.

Enjoy!

Bryn Kirk

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