Description
Chocolate Walnut Bread with Cream Cheese Swirl is a decadent, moist bread that combines rich cocoa flavor with crunchy walnuts and a creamy cheesecake-like swirl. This bread offers a perfect balance of textures: the dense, chocolatey crumb and the smooth, tangy cream cheese filling create an irresistible combination. It’s an ideal treat for breakfast, a snack, or dessert with a cup of coffee or tea.
Origin
This recipe draws inspiration from both chocolate bread and classic cream cheese swirled cakes. The combination of nuts and cocoa is often found in baked goods across many cultures, while the cream cheese filling adds a smooth, tangy contrast, inspired by classic cheesecake recipes.
Instructions
For the Chocolate Bread:
- Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and grease a loaf pan (9×5 inches).
- Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, ¾ cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, and 1 tsp cinnamon.
- Combine wet ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix 2 large eggs, 1 cup sugar, ½ cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 1 cup buttermilk.
- Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.
- Fold in walnuts: Gently fold in 1 cup chopped walnuts until evenly distributed in the batter.
For the Cream Cheese Swirl:
- Prepare cream cheese mixture: In a bowl, beat 8 oz cream cheese with 1/3 cup sugar, 1 large egg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
- Swirl: Pour half of the chocolate batter into the prepared loaf pan. Add spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture on top, then swirl it through the batter using a knife or skewer. Pour the remaining chocolate batter on top and swirl again to create a marbled effect.
Baking the Bread:
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the oven and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (with a few moist crumbs).
- Cool: Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Tips for Success
- Use room temperature ingredients for the cream cheese mixture to ensure it blends smoothly.
- Don’t overmix the batter to keep the bread light and tender.
- Allow the bread to cool completely before slicing to ensure clean slices.
- Make sure to evenly swirl the cream cheese mixture for a beautiful marbled effect.
Recommendations
- Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgence.
- Pair with a rich cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze for longer storage.
Nutrition (per slice, approx.)
- Calories: 350
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Protein: 6g
- Fat: 20g
- Sugars: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
