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Best Cherry Chocolate Sourdough Bread Recipe

Cherry Chocolate Sourdough Bread is an artisan-style loaf combining tangy sourdough with juicy cherries and rich semi-sweet chocolate. With a crackly crust and soft, flavorful crumb, this naturally fermented bread is perfect for breakfast, dessert, or special occasions.
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 day
Servings: 1 loaf
Course: Bread
Cuisine: Artisan
Calories: 220

Ingredients
  

  • 19 g sourdough starter 100% hydration
  • 40 g bread flour for levain
  • 10 g rye flour for levain
  • 50 g water for levain
  • 420 g bread flour
  • 30 g rye flour
  • 330 g water
  • 100 g active levain
  • 130 g cherries pitted and chopped
  • 75 g semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 9 g salt

Method
 

  1. Mix sourdough starter, water, bread flour, and rye flour to build the levain. Ferment until doubled and bubbly.
  2. Combine bread flour, rye flour, and most of the water. Mix into a shaggy dough and rest for 30 minutes.
  3. Add levain, salt, and remaining water. Mix until smooth and elastic.
  4. Perform stretch-and-folds every hour for 2–3 hours during bulk fermentation.
  5. Laminate dough and evenly distribute cherries and chocolate chips. Fold gently and rest.
  6. Shape dough into a tight boule and place seam-side up in a floured banneton.
  7. Cold proof in the refrigerator for 12–14 hours.
  8. Preheat oven with Dutch oven to 500°F (260°C).
  9. Score dough and bake covered, then uncovered, until deep golden and fully baked.
  10. Cool completely on a wire rack before slicing.

Notes

Allow the bread to cool fully before slicing to prevent a gummy crumb. Pat cherries dry before adding to avoid excess moisture.