Easy Sourdough Squash Bread with Chocolate Chips

This delicious chocolate chip sweet bread is made with pureed squash and maple syrup, creating a moist and flavorful bread with just the right amount of sweetness!

What is Squash Bread?

Winter squashes are an amazing ingredient to use in many baked goods. It adds a rich flavor, a slight sweetness, and a wonderfully moist texture. One of my favorite ways to enjoy winter squash bread is by adding chocolate chips!

This sweet bread can also be made into muffins! Use this recipe to make chocolate chip squash muffins by using a muffin tin instead of a loaf pan. Heads up: they will bake in about half the time as the bread!

What Kind of Squash to Use?

Almost any variety of winter squash will work great for this recipe!

Acorn squash – an acorn squash bread recipe is a delicious way to enjoy chocolate chip sweet bread. Using roasted acorn flesh, make a homemade acorn squash puree and use it in this recipe!

Pumpkin – this is probably the most well known winter squash used in baking. Use this recipe to make a delicious pumpkin bread with chocolate chips! Simply use pumpkin puree in this recipe, preferably homemade from roasted pumpkin. 

Butternut squash – this is probably my favorite variety to use in squash bread. Butternut squash is one of the sweeter types of winter squash, adding a rich flavor to a butternut squash bread recipe. Make your own butternut squash puree with roasted butternut squash and use it in this recipe! You can also use honeynut or buttercup squashes, which are very similar to butternut squash. 

Spaghetti squash – this type of squash is not quite as sweet and creamy as the above varieties, but will work in a pinch. Make sure to blend this squash into a smooth puree as it is very stringy. 

Why You Will Love This Recipe

Easy

This recipe is so simple to make. Combine your ingredients into a batter, let ferment for a few hours, place it in a bread loaf pan, then bake! Since this is a sourdough version of a delicious quick bread, no kneading is required.

This bread includes baking soda, so you don’t need to worry about refreshing your starter, and can use sourdough discard straight from the fridge.

Healthy

This recipe is full of healthy ingredients. It uses whole wheat flour (I use whole grain einkorn flour, as I avoid modern wheat varieties), natural maple syrup, and nutrient-packed squash! This recipe is also sourdough, making it healthier and more digestible than many other quick bread recipes. This is a dessert bread, but will leave you feeling nourished!

Delicious

This moist, sweet chocolate chip bread is a perfect treat for fall and winter. Each bite is a perfect blend of warmth, sweetness, and chocolatey bliss…especially with a little butter on top!

How to Roast Squash in The Oven (Oil-Free Method!)

• Many squash roasting tutorials I have found require olive oil or other oils. I prefer to roast my squash without oil! This is the best way I have found. 
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Cut whole squash in half with a sharp knife.
• Clean out seeds and stringy fibers from the center of the squash halves with a spoon.
• Place squash cut-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
• With a sharp knife, make multiple incisions through the skin of the squash.
• Bake for about 45 minutes, or until a knife easily slices through the squash. The precise time will depend on the size and thickness of the squash. 
• Remove from oven and let cool until it is not too hot to touch. 
• Using an ice cream scooper or large spoon, scoop the squash meat out of the skin and place into a small bowl (or add directly to soup).

If you want to cook winter squash while you’re on the go, you can learn how to cook squash in a slow cooker here! This method works for any type of winter squash that will fit in your slow cooker or instant pot. 

How to Store Sourdough Squash Bread with Chocolate Chips

Store cooled bread in an airtight container or zip-lock bag on the counter for up to 3 days, or in the freezer for up to 4 months. Storing in the refrigerator may cause bread to be somewhat dry.

How to Make Easy Sourdough Squash Bread with Chocolate Chips

​Make the Squash Puree: 

Place the flesh of the squash the bowl of a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. 

Alternatively, place in a large bowl and mash with a potato masher or blend with an immersion blender until smooth. 

Make the Bread:

Combine wet ingredients: in a large mixing bowl combine squash mixture, egg, melted butter, vanilla extract, sourdough discard/starter, and maple syrup.

Combine dry ingredients: add flour, salt, and baking soda to a large nonmetallic bowl and combine well. 

Add wet mixture to dry mixture and roughly combine with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, then use an electric mixer or stand mixer to thoroughly combine until the batter is smooth. 

With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, fold in chocolate chips. 

Ensuring batter is in a nonmetallic bowl, cover securely and let it ferment at room temperature for 4-6 hours. (If it is cold in your home set it in a warm place between 70-75 degrees).

After fermenting on the countertop, the top of the batter may be slightly discolored – don’t worry, it won’t affect the the bread. 

Pour batter into into a standard bread loaf pan lined with parchment paper or butter.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.  

Bake on the center rack for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center. 

Let bread cool in the pan for 30 minutes before slicing. 

Enjoy with butter, and if you want extra sweetness add some coconut sugar on top!

How to Use This Recipe to Make Muffins:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. 

Line a muffin tin with baking cups. 

Pour batter into each baking cup until about 3/4 full. 

Optional: sprinkle coconut sugar on top of each cup of batter. 

Bake on the center rack of the oven for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of a muffin.

Allow to cool in the muffin tin for 10-15 minutes before serving. 

Enjoy!