What You Need:

 

1/4 C of orange juice

1/3 C of dried cherries

1 1/4 C of warm water

1 T of active dry yeast

3/4 C of bread flour

1/2 C + 2 T of cocoa powder

2 t of salt

1/4 C of semi sweet chocolate chips

 

How to Make It:

 

Pour the orange juice into a saucepan and place the pan over medium high heat.

Bring the orange juice to a brisk boil then remove the pan from the heat.

Stir in the dried cherries and cover the pan.

Allow the cherries to steep in the orange juice for 30 minutes.

Pour the water into a mixing bowl.

Sprinkle the yeast over the water and allow it to stand 10 minutes or until the yeast beings to foam.

Sprinkle in the flour and cocoa powder.

Mix on low speed for 3 minutes or until the dough begins to come together.

Add the salt, adjust the mixer speed to medium and beat for 2 minutes.

Add the cherries along with the steeping juice,

Reduce the mixer speed to low and mix until the ingredients are just blended in.

Dampen a clean kitchen towel with water and place over the bowl.

Let the dough rise in a warm dry place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Spray a baking sheet with a non stick cooking spray.

Punch the dough down with your fists then divide the dough into 2 equal sizes pieces.

Using your hands work both pieces of dough to form two tight balls.

Place on the baking sheet, recover with a damp towel and let rest for 30 minutes.

Spray two loaf pans well with cooking spray.

Work both of the dough balls into a loaf form and place into the prepared pans.

Sprinkle the tops of both breads evenly with the chocolate chips.

Cover the pans again with a damp towel and let the dough rise for 1 hour or until it rises to fill three quarters of the pan.

Set the oven temperature to 400 degrees and allow the oven to preheat.

Bake 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

 

Makes 2 loaves

 

This bread is quite moist and very yummy. Feel free to add any type of dried fruit that you like. Be sure to adjust the type of juice you use to match the fruit you include.