If you have a serious sweet tooth and love everything rich and chocolatey, then this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe is about to become your new obsession. Imagine the fudgy, dense texture of a classic brownie transformed into a loaf of bread, laced with pockets of gooey hot fudge and a tender crumb that just melts in your mouth. It’s a show-stopping dessert that’s easy enough to whip up for a cozy night in but impressive enough to bring to any gathering. Whether you slice it thick for breakfast or enjoy a warm piece after dinner, this recipe is pure chocolate bliss baked into bread form.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe plays a vital role, from the rich cocoa powder that delivers deep chocolate flavor to the buttermilk that keeps the bread tender and moist. These simple yet carefully chosen ingredients come together to create a delightful balance of texture and taste.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the structure needed for a sturdy yet soft bread.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Brings that luscious, intense chocolate flavor that’s the heart of the recipe.
- Baking soda: Gives the bread a nice rise and light crumb without overpowering density.
- Salt: Enhances the chocolate and balances sweetness perfectly.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and a tender crumb when creamed properly with sugar.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a soft, delicate texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the bread’s sturdiness and moisture.
- Vanilla extract: Lifts the chocolate notes and adds depth to the flavor profile.
- Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and tenderness, keeping the bread moist and soft.
- Hot fudge sauce: The superstar that creates rich pockets of gooey chocolate throughout the bread.
- Optional chocolate chips or chopped nuts: Give extra bursts of texture and chocolatey goodness or crunchy contrast.
How to Make Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare Your Pan
Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C), a perfect temperature to bake this dense brownie bread evenly without drying it out. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan to ensure your bread releases smoothly once baked, making for a neat presentation every time.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This step ensures the leavening is evenly distributed and the cocoa powder is lump-free, forming the foundation of the bread’s chocolate flavor and structure.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is crucial as it incorporates air, giving the bread body and a tender crumb that contrasts beautifully with the fudgy elements.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then blend in the vanilla extract. This step builds the batter’s structure and infuses it with aromatic warmth that complements the chocolate.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately to your butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until combined to avoid overworking the batter, which maintains a tender crumb essential for this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe.
Step 6: Fold in the Hot Fudge and Optional Mix-ins
Gently fold in the hot fudge sauce, and if you like, the chocolate chips or chopped nuts at this stage. The fudge creates decadent pockets of molten chocolate, so be careful not to overmix and lose those beautiful pockets throughout your loaf.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Pour your batter into the prepared loaf pan and slide it into the oven. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The baking time ensures the bread is cooked through but still moist and full of fudgy goodness.
Step 8: Cool and Serve
After baking, allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to set up, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle extra hot fudge sauce on top before serving for an irresistible finishing touch that takes this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe to the next level.
How to Serve Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe
Garnishes
To make each slice a delightful treat, consider garnishing your Hot Fudge Brownie Bread with a dollop of whipped cream, a sprinkle of powdered sugar, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between warm chocolate bread and cool, light toppings is heavenly.
Side Dishes
This brownie bread pairs wonderfully with fresh berries or a fruit compote. The natural tartness of fruits cuts through the richness and balances out each bite, creating a more refined dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive occasion, serve the bread sliced thick alongside coffee or hot chocolate. You can also transform slices into decadent toast, gently warmed and topped with extra fudge sauce and slices of banana for an indulgent breakfast twist that everyone will love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store leftover Hot Fudge Brownie Bread wrapped tightly in plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay fresh and fudgy for up to 3 days, making it easy to enjoy multiple times without any loss in flavor or texture.
Freezing
You can freeze this bread by wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap and then placing it in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to 3 months. When you’re ready, thaw it overnight in the fridge or bring to room temperature before warming; it tastes just as delicious as fresh.
Reheating
To revive the warm, gooey texture, reheat slices in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or pop them in a toaster oven for a few minutes. A quick drizzle of warm hot fudge sauce after reheating will bring back that freshly baked charm every time.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While buttermilk is preferred for its tang and tenderness, you can substitute regular milk mixed with one tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per cup to mimic its effect. This keeps the bread soft and moist without altering the flavor too much.
Is this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe gluten-free?
The original recipe calls for all-purpose flour, which contains gluten. However, you can experiment with gluten-free flour blends designed for baking, though the texture might be slightly different.
Can I make this bread dairy-free?
Yes! Use a dairy-free butter substitute and a plant-based milk combined with a bit of acid (like lemon juice) instead of buttermilk. Choose a dairy-free hot fudge sauce or make your own to keep it completely plant-based.
How long will the bread stay fresh?
Stored properly at room temperature, this brownie bread stays fresh and moist for up to 3 days. Refrigeration can extend this but may slightly dry the bread unless wrapped extremely well.
Can I add other mix-ins besides chocolate chips or nuts?
Absolutely! Feel free to add dried fruit, such as cherries or cranberries, or even swirl caramel sauce for a different flavor twist. Just be cautious not to overload the batter to maintain that perfect density.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend this Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe enough for anyone who loves chocolate and wants a dessert that’s both comforting and exciting. It’s a delightful way to enjoy brownie flavors in a new, sliceable form. Give it a try — I promise it will become a beloved staple for your family and friends as it has for mine!
Print
Hot Fudge Brownie Bread Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Indulge in this decadent Hot Fudge Brownie Bread, a rich and moist loaf combining the deep flavors of cocoa and buttery batter swirled with hot fudge sauce. Perfect as a dessert or a special treat, this bread balances fudgy chocolate intensity with a tender crumb, enhanced optionally with chocolate chips or nuts for added texture.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Fudge and Optional Add-ins
- ½ cup hot fudge sauce, plus extra for drizzling
- Optional: ½ cup chocolate chips or chopped nuts
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and set it aside to ensure the bread releases easily after baking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of leavening and flavor.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3–4 minutes. This step incorporates air for a tender texture.
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then incorporate the vanilla extract to build a smooth, cohesive batter.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Alternately add the dry ingredient mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Stir gently until just combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the bread.
- Fold in Fudge: Gently fold in the hot fudge sauce along with optional chocolate chips or chopped nuts, distributing them evenly without deflating the batter.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top. Bake in the preheated oven for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool & Serve: Allow the bread to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Drizzle with extra hot fudge sauce before serving for an indulgent finish.
Notes
- Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugar.
- Do not overmix once you combine wet and dry ingredients; this keeps the bread tender.
- Check the bread starting at 50 minutes of baking to avoid overbaking, as ovens vary.
- Optionally adding chocolate chips or nuts adds extra texture and flavor variety.
- Hot fudge sauce can be substituted with caramel or chocolate syrup for different flavor profiles.
- This bread is best served slightly warm and can be reheated gently for a gooey experience.
