Watermelon Bread (Printable Version)
Visually stunning sweet bread with tender crumb and fruity flavor. Featuring three colorful layers and chocolate chip seeds.
# What You Need:
→ Dough Base
01 - 3 cups bread flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
04 - 1 tsp salt
05 - 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
06 - 1 large egg, room temperature
07 - 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
→ Color & Flavor Additions
08 - 1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder
09 - 1/2 tsp matcha powder or green food coloring
10 - 1/2 tsp red or pink gel food coloring
11 - 1 tsp watermelon extract (optional)
→ Mix-Ins
12 - 1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
# How to Make It:
01 - Combine flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer bowl.
02 - Add warm milk, egg, and butter. Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
03 - Separate dough into three portions: 60% for red flesh, 25% for white rind, and 15% for green skin.
04 - Add red or pink food coloring and watermelon extract to the largest portion. Knead until color is evenly distributed, then fold in chocolate chips as seeds.
05 - Leave the medium portion plain for the white rind layer.
06 - Mix matcha powder or green food coloring into the smallest portion for the outer skin.
07 - Shape each portion into balls, place in separate greased bowls, cover, and let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
08 - Punch down each dough. Flatten red dough into a log the length of your loaf pan. Wrap white dough around the red log, then wrap green dough around both layers. Pinch seams to seal.
09 - Place seam-side down in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy.
10 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
11 - Bake for 30-35 minutes, tenting with foil if the top browns too quickly.
12 - Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove and cool completely before slicing to reveal the watermelon pattern.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The moment you slice into it and reveal those watermelon layers, you will feel like a kitchen magician and everyone watching will gasp
- Its surprisingly soft and pillowy for something so theatrical, perfect for toasted breakfasts or afternoon snacks
02 -
- Gel food coloring is absolutely worth the extra trip to the craft store, liquid coloring will turn your dough gummy and sad
- Sealing those seams between layers is the difference between a clean watermelon slice and a marbled tie-dye situation
03 -
- If your kitchen is warm, the second rise might go faster so keep an eye on it after 20 minutes
- A sharp serrated knife is your best friend for clean slices that show off all those layers