Stout Chocolate-cherry Bread

Total Time: 45 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 20
• 4 1/4 cups bread flour, divided
• 1 (12 ounce) bottle guinness stout
• 2 1/4 teaspoons dry yeast
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup dried tart cherry
• 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon water
• 1 large egg , lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon pearl sugar (optional)

Recipe

• 1 lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. combine 2 cups flour, beer, and yeast in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk. cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
• 2 remove mixture from refrigerator; let stand 1 hour.
• 3 add 2 cups flour, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, and salt; stir until a soft dough forms. turn dough out onto a floured surface. knead until smooth and elastic (about 8 minutes); add enough of remaining flour, 1 tablespoon at a time, to prevent dough from sticking to hands (dough will feel tacky). knead in cherries and chocolate.
• 4 place dough in a large bowl coated with cooking spray, turning to coat top. cover and let rise in a warm place (85°), free from drafts, 1 hour or until doubled in size. (gently press 2 fingers into dough. if indentation remains, dough has risen enough.).
• 5 punch dough down; cover and let rest 5 minutes. shape dough into a 9-inch round; place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. lightly coat dough with cooking spray. cover and let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.
• 6 preheat oven to 350°.
• 7 uncover the dough. combine water and egg , stirring with a whisk, and brush over dough.
• 8 sprinkle the dough with pearl sugar, if desired. make a 1/4-inch-deep cut down the center of dough using a sharp knife.
• 9 bake at 350° for 30 minutes or until bread is browned on bottom and sounds hollow when tapped. remove from pan; cool on a wire rack.