Watermelon Bread (Print Version)

A stunning sweet bread mimicking watermelon's vibrant colors and pattern with chocolate chip seeds.

# What You'll 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 Cook:

01 - Combine bread flour, granulated sugar, active dry yeast, and salt in a large bowl or stand mixer. Add warm milk, egg, and softened butter. Mix until a soft dough forms, then knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
02 - Divide dough into three portions: 60% for red flesh, 25% for white rind, and 15% for green skin. Knead red food coloring and watermelon extract into largest portion, then fold in chocolate chips. Leave medium portion plain. Mix matcha or green coloring into smallest portion.
03 - Shape each colored portion into a ball and place in separate greased bowls. Cover with plastic wrap or kitchen towel. Let rise for 1 hour until doubled in size.
04 - Punch down each dough portion. Flatten red dough into a log the length of your loaf pan. Wrap white dough around red log, then flatten and wrap green dough around both to create three distinct layers. Pinch seams tightly to seal.
05 - Place assembled loaf seam-side down in a greased 9x5-inch loaf pan. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes until puffy and doubled in size.
06 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake for 30-35 minutes, tenting with aluminum foil after 20 minutes if top browns too quickly. The loaf is done when golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
07 - Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then remove to wire rack. Cool completely before slicing to reveal the watermelon cross-section pattern.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The reveal when you slice into it never gets old and always gathers a crowd
  • Its surprisingly delicious toasted with butter, the chocolate chips melt beautifully
  • Makes ordinary sandwich feel like something special and memorable
02 -
  • Gel food coloring is nonnegotiable here, liquid will make your dough too sticky to work with
  • The dough will stain your hands temporarily, but it washes off completely with soap and warm water
  • Letting the loaf cool completely before slicing is the hardest part but absolutely essential
03 -
  • Use a kitchen scale to measure the three dough portions precisely for perfect proportions
  • Chill the colored doughs for 10 minutes before assembling if they are too soft and sticky to handle

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