Warm the Milk: Heat the 160 ml of milk until it is warm to the touch, but not hot (around 100-110°F or 37-43°C). This will help activate the yeast without killing it.

Mix in the Yeast and Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk, 3 g (1 teaspoon) of yeast, and 38 g (3 tablespoons) of sugar. Stir gently and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy and bubbly. This indicates that the yeast is active.

Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine 280 g (2 cups) of bread flour, 15 g (2 tablespoons) of cocoa powder, and 3 g (1/2 teaspoon) of salt. Stir the ingredients together to distribute the cocoa evenly throughout the flour.

Add the Wet Ingredients: Once the yeast mixture is frothy, pour it into the dry ingredients. Add the egg and softened 30 g (2 tablespoons) of unsalted butter to the mixture.

Knead the Dough: Use a wooden spoon or your hands to mix the dough until it starts coming together. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth and elastic. You may need to sprinkle in a little extra flour if the dough is too sticky.

First Rise: Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours, or until it has doubled in size. The ideal temperature for rising dough is around 75-80°F (24-27°C).

Punch Down the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead it briefly to remove any remaining bubbles.

Shape the Bread: Shape the dough into a loaf by flattening it slightly into a rectangle. Fold one end toward the center, then fold the other end over the first fold (like an envelope). Tuck the edges under to form a smooth loaf shape.

Place in the Pan: Place the shaped loaf into a greased or parchment-lined loaf pan. Cover the pan with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let the dough rise again for about 45 minutes, or until it has puffed up.

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C) while the dough is having its second rise.

Brush with Honey and Water: In a small bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of honey with 1 tablespoon of water. Lightly brush this mixture over the top of the dough for a beautiful golden and slightly shiny finish.

Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is firm and a deep golden brown. You can test for doneness by tapping the bottom of the loaf—it should sound hollow.

Cool the Bread: Once the bread is baked, remove it from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely.

Slice and Serve: Once the bread has cooled, slice it into thick slices and serve. It’s delicious on its own, with butter, or as part of a sandwich.