Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread (Mandelbrot) is a simple, dairy-free recipe for Jewish almond bread with the delicious combined flavor of almond and chocolate.
This dairy-free mandel bread with chocolate chips is a perfect treat. And since this recipe uses oil and there is no butter, this mandel bread is pareve.
It's great for Shabbat, holidays, when you have guests, when you're being hosted, or when you're just spending time with family.
They're also terrific to have with your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as an evening snack.
The origins of mandel bread likely trace back to early medieval Italy, where Jewish communities adapted the Italian tradition of twice-baked biscotti.
As Jewish populations migrated eastward into places like Germany, Ukraine, and Russia, the recipe traveled with them.
Many people don't know this, but mandel bread, or mandelbrot in Yiddish, is literally "almond bread" (mandel = almond, brot = bread) and is made with whole or sliced almonds, or at least almond flavoring.
I have seen many recipes that are titled "mandel bread," and while they are shaped as such, they contain nothing almond, so they are basically just a mandel bread-shaped cookie.
However, as long as you have at least the almond flavor, you can customize these however you like. Use almonds, chocolate chips, raisins, or any other mix-ins.
With biscotti, slices of the baked loaf are laid flat on a baking sheet and baked a second time until crisp. Mandel bread, however, isn't necessarily twice-baked and typically isn't crispy.
However, if you prefer yours more on the crispy side than the soft side, just bake a little longer or slice and then place back into the oven for another 15 minutes or so or until the tops are slightly brown.
Jump to:
What ingredients are needed to make this chocolate chip mandel bread recipe?
all-purpose flour
white granulated sugar
baking powder
salt
eggs
oil
almond extract (or good imitation)
vanilla extract (or good imitation)
chocolate chips, dairy-free
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make mandel bread without chocolate chips?
Yes. The chocolate chips are simply an add-in, so you can leave them out or replace them with something else you like, such as raisins. As long as the mandel bread has almond flavor from almonds or almond flavoring, you can customize the other ingredients to your taste.
Can I use margarine instead of oil in this dairy-free mandel bread?
Yes. You can substitute margarine for the oil in equal amounts if you prefer. However, if you want to keep the recipe dairy-free, make sure to use dairy-free margarine.
Why is my mandel bread too soft or too hard?
The texture depends largely on the consistency of the dough and how long you bake it. A softer dough or shorter baking time will give you softer mandel bread, while a firmer dough or longer baking time will result in a crispier texture.
Can I bake mandel bread a second time?
Yes. Although mandel bread doesn't have to be twice-baked like biscotti, you can slice the baked loaf and return the pieces to the oven for about 15 minutes if you prefer a crispier texture. The slices don't need to be laid flat and baked on both sides the way biscotti traditionally are.
How do I store homemade mandel bread?
Store completely cooled mandel bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. Keeping it tightly covered will help maintain its texture.
Can I freeze mandel bread?
Yes. Place completely cooled mandel bread in a freezer-safe bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
If you like this recipe, try these!
Like Jewish food? Try these!
Try these:
Jerusalem Kugel (Kugel Yerushalmi)
Lokshen Kugel
Classic Cholent Recipe-Traditional Jewish Sabbath Stew
Chocolate Chip Mandel Bread
Delicious mandel bread with chocolate chips for the combined flavor of almond and chocolate. Made without butter or margarine.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour (plus 1 extra cup for just-in-case)
- 1 ¼ cups white granulated sugar
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 3 eggs
- ⅓ cup oil
- 1 tablespoon almond extract (or good imitation)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or good imitation)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, dairy-free
Instructions
- Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl.
- Mix in eggs, vanilla, and almond extract.
- Add the oil. Mix in completely.
- Mix in the chocolate chips.
- On a baking sheet with parchment paper, shape loaves about 3 inches wide and leave equal room between the sides of the baking sheet and between the loaves (the loaves will spread while baking, so they will need room not to stick together).
- Place in an oven that has been preheated to 350°F and bake for approximately 30 minutes or until a light golden brown.
- Remove from oven, let cool a little, and then slice to desired width, either horizontally or diagonally across the loaves.
- If you prefer more crispy mandel bread, place the sliced loaf back in the oven and bake for another 15–20 minutes or until the loaves become slightly more golden brown.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 205Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 2gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 122mgCarbohydrates: 31gFiber: 1gSugar: 6gProtein: 4g
