This Chocolate Donut Bread is a deliciously soft and moist treat with rich chocolate flavor, a crunchy sweet topping, and smooth milk chocolate ganache. It’s like combining the best parts of a chocolate donut and a loaf of bread into one irresistible breakfast, snack, or dessert, and I am here for it! If you love the idea of donut bread, you will definitely want to try my Cinnamon Sugar Donut Bread, too! It’s just as soft and moist, with a sweet cinnamon flavor and a sugar coating for sugar donut lovers.

Chocolate drizzled over Chocolate Donut Bread on a wooden table from overhead.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Flour: I used all-purpose flour for the bread. It gives the bread its structure and holds everything together so it is not too crumbly or dense. If using gluten-free flour, look for a blend made for baking (with xanthan gum).
Brown Sugar: Light brown sugar adds sweetness and moisture to the bread. It also gives a slight caramel-like flavor because of the molasses in it, making the chocolate taste even richer!
Cocoa Powder: I used regular unsweetened cocoa powder in both the bread and the topping. The cocoa powder in the bread gives it a rich chocolate flavor, making it taste like a chocolate donut. In the topping, the cocoa powder mixes with sugar and nutmeg to add a sweet, slightly crunchy coating that makes each bite even more delicious!
Espresso Powder: The espresso powder helps bring out the rich chocolate flavor in the bread. It doesn’t make the bread taste like coffee—it just makes the chocolate taste even better! If you don’t have espresso powder, you can leave it out or use instant coffee powder instead.
Topping: The topping adds a sweet, slightly crunchy layer to the bread. Brushing melted butter on top helps the sugar mixture stick, while the mix of granulated sugar, cocoa powder, and nutmeg gives extra sweetness, a little more chocolate flavor, and a warm hint of spice.
Ganache: The milk chocolate ganache is a smooth, shiny chocolate sauce made with melted chocolate and heavy cream. When poured over the bread, it creates a sweet, chocolaty topping with a glossy finish and a little extra sweetness. If you don’t have heavy cream, I also have a butter chocolate ganache recipe you can use instead!

Drizzling chocolate over sugar coated Chocolate Donut Bread.

Can I Make Chocolate Donut Bread Without Ganache?

Absolutely! In fact, our taste testers had mixed opinions on whether the chocolate donut bread is better with or without the ganache. Personally, I think skipping the ganache gives it more of a classic donut vibe, but either way is delicious- you really can’t go wrong!

Chocolate Donut Bread on a cutting board with a few recipes laying flat shot from overhead.

Can You Add Mix-Ins To Chocolate Donut Bread?

You can definitely add other mix-ins to the chocolate donut bread to make it your own! If you love chocolate, add more chocolate chips. For a little crunch, try nuts like walnuts, pecans, or almonds. Mini marshmallows will make it gooey and fun. Dried fruit, like cherries or raisins, can balance out the sweetness. You can also chop up your favorite candy, like caramel or toffee, for something extra special. Just don’t add too much so the bread still bakes well!

How To Serve Chocolate Donut Bread

You can serve chocolate donut bread in a bunch of ways to make it even more delicious. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:

Warm: Serve it warm, straight from the oven, or lightly reheated in the microwave. This brings out the rich, chocolatey flavor and makes the ganache extra gooey.
With a Hot Drink: Pair it with a hot beverage like coffee, hot cocoa, or milk for a cozy treat. Or, try a slice with my frozen hot chocolate or homemade chocolate frosty for a summertime treat!
As a Dessert: Serve it as a dessert, either on its own or with a scoop of no-churn vanilla ice cream or whipped cream on the side.
For breakfast or snacks: Slice it up for a sweet start to the day or a tasty afternoon snack. I love it with a cup of coffee or tea.
Add a sprinkle of confectioners’ sugar (powdered sugar) or a few extra chocolate chips on top for a little extra touch when serving.

Enjoy your chocolate donut bread however you like best! I know I will!

Close up of a cut into loaf of Chocolate Donut Bread.

How To Store Chocolate Donut Bread: With or Without Ganache

With Ganache: If you’ve already added the ganache, store the bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days. If you plan to store it for longer, keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week (though refrigeration can cause the bread to dry out more quickly, so I don’t recommend it). The ganache may lose its smooth, glossy texture after storage, but it will still taste just as delicious.

Without Ganache: If you haven’t added the ganache yet, store the bread without it in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can add the ganache when ready to serve.

Can I Freeze Chocolate Donut Bread?

Yes, you can freeze chocolate donut bread with or without the ganache! Just let the bread cool completely before wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Then, place it in an airtight freezer-safe bag or container. This helps keep the bread fresh and prevents freezer burn. When ready to eat it, let it thaw at room temperature for a few hours or overnight. If the bread has ganache, it may lose its smooth, glossy look after freezing, but it will still taste great!