Decadent Chocolate Cherry Stromboli (An Irresistible Sweet Twist!)
Imagine your favorite savory stromboli—a beautiful, rustic, rolled loaf. Now, what if I told you we could transform that concept into an incredible, show-stopping dessert? That, my friends, is the pure, delicious genius of this Chocolate and Cherry Stromboli. This isn’t just a sweet bread; it’s a tender, slightly sweet yeast dough, rolled thin and…
Imagine your favorite savory stromboli—a beautiful, rustic, rolled loaf. Now, what if I told you we could transform that concept into an incredible, show-stopping dessert? That, my friends, is the pure, delicious genius of this Chocolate and Cherry Stromboli. This isn’t just a sweet bread; it’s a tender, slightly sweet yeast dough, rolled thin and loaded with finely chopped bittersweet chocolate and chewy dried cherries, then baked to golden perfection and finished with a final, decadent chocolate drizzle.
I promise you, there is no greater feeling than slicing into this warm loaf and revealing the beautiful swirl of melted chocolate and jewel-like cherries inside. The texture is a dream—part soft bread, part gooey pastry. It’s perfect for a special brunch, an after-dinner dessert with coffee, or a weekend baking project that will have everyone raving.
Get ready to create a truly special, bakery-quality sweet bread that will become an instant favorite.
Why This Sweet Stromboli is a Must-Bake!
You are going to be completely amazed by the unique and delicious results of this creative recipe. It’s a show-stopper for so many good reasons:
- A Fun and Creative Twist on a Classic: Taking the stromboli concept and turning it into a sweet dessert is a fun, unexpected, and incredibly delicious idea that is sure to impress.
- Incredibly Rich and Flavorful: The combination of rich, slightly bitter bittersweet chocolate and sweet, chewy dried cherries is a classic and sophisticated flavor pairing.
- Soft, Chewy Bread Texture: The quick-rise honey and egg-enriched dough bakes up wonderfully soft, tender, and slightly chewy—the perfect vessel for the delicious filling.
- A True Show-Stopping Presentation: A whole, beautifully baked loaf with a chocolate drizzle looks so impressive on a serving platter. Slicing it to reveal the swirl inside is a “wow” moment!
- Surprisingly Quick for a Yeast Bread: Thanks to the use of quick-rise yeast, the entire rising process takes only about 30 minutes, making this an approachable project for any baker.
Recipe Snapshot
| Prep Time | 40 minutes |
| Rise Time | 30 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Servings | 12 pieces |
| Calories | 248 kcal per piece |
| Course | Dessert, Bread, Brunch |
| Cuisine | American / Italian-Inspired |
| Difficulty/Method | Intermediate / Baking |
Your Shopping List for This Sweet Loaf
This recipe uses classic pantry staples to create a truly spectacular sweet bread.
→ For the Soft Dough
- 4 cups all-purpose flour → The foundation of our bread.
- 1 package (¼ ounce) quick-rise yeast → The key to a fast and easy rise.
- 1 teaspoon salt → For flavor balance.
- 1 cup warm water (120° to 130°F) → The perfect temperature to activate the quick-rise yeast.
- 3 tablespoons canola oil → For a soft, tender crumb.
- 2 tablespoons honey → Adds a subtle sweetness and lovely flavor to the dough.
- 1 large egg, room temperature → For richness and binding.
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice → Mixed with the egg for our shiny egg wash.
→ For the Filling and Topping
- 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped → Divided. Using good quality chocolate makes a huge difference!
- ½ cup dried cherries, chopped → For a sweet, chewy, and slightly tart contrast.
- 2 tablespoons coarse sugar → For a beautiful, crunchy, sparkling crust.
Let’s Bake a Sweet Stromboli! Your Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to create a beautiful, bakery-quality loaf at home? Let’s get our hands a little floury!
Part 1: The Quick-Rise Dough
- Mix the Dough: In a large bowl (preferably a stand mixer), whisk 3 cups of the flour, the yeast, and salt. In a separate bowl, mix the warm water, oil, and honey. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. Stir in enough of the remaining flour by hand to form a soft, sticky dough.
- Knead and Rise: Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 3-5 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, until doubled in size.
Part 2: Assemble the Stromboli
- Preheat and Prep: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Generously grease a 15x10x1-inch baking pan.
- Shape the Dough: Press the risen dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it out evenly to fill the pan.
- Add the Filling: In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the lemon juice to create an egg wash. Brush half of this egg wash over the surface of the dough. Sprinkle half (4 ounces) of the finely chopped chocolate evenly over the dough, followed by the chopped dried cherries.
- The Tri-Fold: Starting with a long side, mentally divide the dough into three sections. Fold one long side over the center, then fold the other long side over the top, like you’re folding a business letter. Do not pinch the ends to seal them.
Part 3: Bake and Drizzle
- Finish and Bake: Carefully transfer the folded loaf back to your baking pan if you assembled it on a counter. Brush the top with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle generously with the coarse sugar.
- Bake on Lowest Rack: Bake on the lowest oven rack for about 20 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when you tap it. Let the loaf cool on a wire rack.
- Drizzle with Chocolate: While the bread cools, melt the remaining 4 ounces of chocolate in the microwave. Drizzle the melted chocolate beautifully over the cooled bread. Let the chocolate set before slicing and serving.
Chocolate and Cherry Stromboli
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a large bowl, whisk 3 cups flour, yeast and salt. In another bowl, mix warm water, oil and honey. Add wet to dry ingredients; beat on medium speed 2 minutes. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
- Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 3-5 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Press dough into a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Whisk the egg with lemon juice; brush half the egg wash over the dough.
- Sprinkle half the chocolate (4 oz) evenly over the dough, then top with the cherries. Starting with a long side, fold the dough over the filling into thirds, like a letter.
- Brush the top with the remaining egg wash and sprinkle with coarse sugar.
- Bake on the lowest oven rack for about 20 minutes, until the bread sounds hollow when tapped. Cool on a wire rack.
- Meanwhile, melt the remaining chocolate (4 oz) in the microwave. Drizzle over the cooled bread. Let the chocolate set before slicing.
Notes
WiseRecipes’ Top Tips for Perfect Stromboli
These are the little details that ensure your sweet stromboli is a spectacular success.
- Check Your Water Temperature. Quick-rise yeast is activated by a higher temperature (120° to 130°F) than regular yeast. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure your water is in this “sweet spot” for a fast and effective rise.
- Finely Chop Your Chocolate. For the best result, chop your chocolate bar finely rather than using chocolate chips. Finely chopped chocolate will melt more evenly, creating beautiful, thin layers of chocolate throughout the swirl.
- Don’t Seal the Ends. The recipe specifically advises against pinching the ends of the stromboli shut. This allows some of the chocolate to ooze out slightly during baking, creating wonderfully crispy, caramelized, chocolatey ends that are arguably the best part!
- Bake on the Lowest Rack. This is a key step! Baking the stromboli on the lowest oven rack ensures the bottom crust gets nicely browned and cooked through, preventing a soggy bottom.
- Cool Before You Drizzle. Make sure the loaf has cooled for at least 30 minutes before you add the final chocolate drizzle. If the bread is too warm, the chocolate will just melt into a puddle instead of setting into beautiful, distinct lines.
Keep It Fresh! Storing Your Sweet Stromboli
This delicious bread is a wonderful treat to have on hand!
- Room Temperature: The best way to store this is to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or place it in a large airtight container. It will stay fresh and soft at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: To bring back that “freshly baked” feel, you can warm individual slices in the microwave for 15-20 seconds.
- Freezing: This bread freezes beautifully! Once the chocolate drizzle is fully set, wrap the whole loaf (or individual slices) tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. It will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature.
FAQs: Your Sweet Stromboli Questions, Answered!
Can I use regular active dry yeast instead of quick-rise?
Yes, but you will need to adjust the process slightly. You’ll want to “proof” the regular yeast in the warm water (which should be slightly cooler, around 110°F) with the honey for about 5 minutes until it gets foamy. The rising times will also be longer, likely closer to 1 hour for the first rise.
Can I use different fillings?
Absolutely! This dough is a fantastic canvas. Try it with a cinnamon-sugar and chopped pecan filling (like a cinnamon roll), or use white chocolate with dried cranberries, or milk chocolate with chopped hazelnuts. The possibilities are endless!
Why is my dough so sticky?
This is a soft, enriched dough, so it is meant to be a little sticky! Don’t be tempted to add too much extra flour, as that can make the final bread tough. Use a well-floured surface and floured hands when kneading to make it manageable.
What should I serve this with?
This Chocolate Cherry Stromboli is spectacular on its own, but it’s absolutely divine served slightly warm with a cup of coffee or tea. For a truly decadent dessert, a slice would be amazing with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream!
Final Thoughts: A Sweet, Surprising Twist
There is something so wonderfully creative about taking a familiar concept and turning it into something new and exciting. This Chocolate and Cherry Stromboli is a celebration of that spirit. It’s a fun, satisfying baking project that results in a truly unique and incredibly delicious treat, perfect for sharing. I hope you have a blast making, slicing, and eating this special loaf. Happy baking!
