goûter + the best (not too sweet) chocolate bread

After school snack has had me a little stumped lately. The kids have been s-t-a-r-v-i-n-g when they get home (more so than usual) which can often lead to a drawn out snack fest while they try to mindlessly find something that will fill them up. When they finally do start to feel full it’s basically dinnertime. Boo. So I decided to do a little more brainstorming for the snack section of the meal plan this month. It was then that I remembered a chapter in the book Bringing Up Bébé where the author discusses the eating habits of French kids and their snack time tradition, goûter — which is a sweet treat or “taste” in the middle of the afternoon. Ummmm, say no more… we’re in! And today’s recipe would be the perfect way to kick off your new snack time tradish if you want to join us!

THE BEST CHOCOLATE, CHOCOLATE CHIP BREAD

You’ll Need:

• 3-1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 3 tablespoons boiling water
• 1/2 tablespoons vanilla extract
• 3 large eggs
• 1-1/2 cup cake flour, sifted
• 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 13 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup chocolate chips (to taste)

Here’s How:

1. Preheat oven to 350 and grease or line a loaf or 9×9 inch pan with parchment.
2. In a glass measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk boiling water and cocoa powder until smooth… do not skip this step! Let sit. Once room temp, whisk in vanilla + eggs.
3. In a larger mixing bowl combine sifted flour, sugar + baking powder.
4. Mix in the butter and half of the chocolate mixture for one minute until combined. Scrape sides of mixing bowl and slowly add remaining chocolate mix until fully incorporated, scraping sides again.
5. Fold chocolate chips into mixture and pour into prepared baking dish.
6. Bake for 50-60 minutes if using loaf pan or 30 minutes if using a 9-inch square baking dish.
7. Let cool for 10 minutes or so before slicing and serving! Goes well with scrambled eggs or sausage in the morning or berries + a glass of milk in the afternoon :)

What I love so much about this meal is that sweets have away of filling us up but then burn off quickly, leaving us hungry in time for dinner — win, win! It’s also the perfect time of day to indulge (instead of right before bed) and a great way to get the kids attention long enough to sit and chat about their day.

Now, add cake flour and chocolate chips to your shopping list so you can make some chocolate bread this weekend!

xo, Rae

P.S. — I do feel a little responsible to mention that the reason the afternoon sweets work for alllll the healthy French people is because they eat so little processed or fast food! So just know, I’m not suggesting you serve your kids candy bars every afternoon, lol.