Stout Chocolate-Cherry Bread

Ingredients

• 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 white, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon pearl sugar (optional)

Directions

1. 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. 2

   Remove mixture from refrigerator; let stand 1 hour.

3. 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. 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. 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. 6

   Preheat oven to 350°.

7. 7

   Uncover the dough. Combine water and egg white, stirring with a whisk, and brush over dough.

8. 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. 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.