Why I Made Porcupine Hedgehog Bread – A fun and Tasty Treat My Son Loves
It all started on a trip to the zoo. My son, wide-eyed with wonder, became mesmerized by the porcupines in their enclosure. Their unique look, with quills sticking out in all directions, left him completely fascinated. He couldn’t stop talking about them for days! That’s when I got the idea to combine his love for porcupines with our favorite family activity—baking.
As a mom who loves to experiment in the kitchen, I decided to surprise him by creating bread shaped like the porcupines he admired so much. I wanted it to be something he’d not only enjoy eating but also something that would make him smile the moment he saw it.
A Delicious and Whimsical Creation
The first time I made porcupine hedgehog bread, I knew it had to be both fun and delicious. I started with a soft, slightly sweet bread dough that would bake into something light and fluffy. But the magic came with the addition of a chocolate dough exterior, carefully wrapped around the bread to create the porcupine’s “body.”
To mimic the spikes, I used kitchen scissors to snip the chocolate dough into small triangular cuts. My son loved this part! He stood beside me, watching intently as the bread transformed into a spiky, chocolate-covered porcupine. His excitement was contagious, and I could tell this was going to become a regular baking project for us.
The Perfect Balance of Fun and Flavor
When it was time to bake the bread, the smell of chocolate and warm dough filled the kitchen. My son could barely contain his excitement, constantly peeking into the oven to see the porcupine bread come to life.
The result? A cute, spiky loaf with a soft, fluffy center. I added a milk powder filling inside the bread, giving it an extra touch of sweetness that pairs perfectly with the light cocoa flavor of the chocolate dough. When my son took his first bite, his face lit up with pure joy.
“This is my favorite bread, Mom!” he exclaimed, and I knew I had created something truly special.
What is Porcupine Hedgehog Bread?
Porcupine hedgehog bread is a creative, child-friendly loaf shaped to resemble a cute hedgehog or porcupine. It’s made from sourdough discard and enriched with yogurt, milk, and eggs, forming a soft dough. What makes this bread stand out is its unique chocolate dough wrapping, which mimics the spiky texture of a hedgehog’s back. The chocolate spikes, cut using kitchen scissors, give the bread a fun, 3D appearance, making it a hit with children, especially my son. Every bite combines the richness of chocolate with the fluffy texture of the bread, making it a treat for both the eyes and the taste buds!
The Inspiration Behind the Recipe
It all started with my son’s love for animals—especially hedgehogs and porcupines. From toys to books, he is constantly asking me about them. One day, while watching him enjoy a simple loaf of bread, I thought, why not combine his two favorite things: bread and animals? That’s when I came up with the idea of porcupine bread. I experimented with shaping, testing how to make the spikes look realistic, and finally decided on the chocolate-covered design. The joy on my son’s face when he saw and tasted the first loaf made all the trials worthwhile!
Recipes
How to Make Cute and Delicious Porcupine Hedgehog Bread
Course: BreakfastCuisine: BreadDifficulty: Medium6
servings2
hours30
minutes300
kcalDiscover the joy of baking with this whimsical porcupine hedgehog bread, inspired by my son’s love for spiky creatures. With a soft, fluffy interior and a rich chocolate dough exterior, this creative bread is a delightful treat that combines fun and flavor. Learn how to shape the bread into a cute porcupine, complete with chocolate spikes, and enjoy the sweet milk powder filling in every bite. Perfect for family baking time, this recipe brings smiles and tasty memories to the kitchen!
Ingredients
- Bread Dough
300g sourdough discard
60g plain yogurt
90g milk
60g caster sugar
2 eggs
5g salt
6g instant yeast
500g bread flour
40g milk powder
40g unsalted butter, softened
30g Dutch processed cocoa powder
60g Milk chocolate (melted)
- Milk Powder filling
60g butter
30g Icing sugar
20g egg (beaten)
100g Milk powder
1 tsp Corn flour
pinch salt
Directions
- Prepare the Bread Dough
- Mix the dough: In a large bowl, combine the sourdough discard, yogurt, caster sugar, eggs, salt, and milk powder. Add the yeast mixture, and then gradually add the bread flour.
- Knead the dough: In the kitchen mixer, knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
- Add butter: Add the softened butter and continue kneading until fully incorporated and the dough is soft and slightly tacky.
- Divide the dough: Split the dough into 14 portions—reserve 2 portions for chocolate dough.
- Proof the dough: Cover and let them rise for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until doubled in size
- Prepare the Milk Powder Filling
- In a medium bowl, mix together the softened butter and icing sugar.
- Add the beaten egg, milk powder, cornflour, and a pinch of salt. Mix until a smooth paste forms. Set aside for later use.
- Prepare the Chocolate Dough
- Make the chocolate dough: Use 2 portion of the reserved dough, add the Dutch-processed cocoa powder and melted milk chocolate. Knead until the dough is evenly mixed and smooth.
- Shape the Porcupine Bread
- Roll out the dough: After the dough has proofed, roll the plain dough into an oval rugby ball shape.
- Add the milk powder filling: Flatten the dough slightly, and place the milk powder filling in the center. Gently wrap the dough around the filling, sealing the edges tightly.
- Wrap with chocolate dough: Roll out the chocolate dough thinly and wrap it around three-quarters of the plain dough, leaving one side of the bread exposed.
- Create spikes: Using kitchen scissors, snip small triangular cuts around the chocolate-covered part of the dough to mimic porcupine spikes.
- Final Proof and Bake
- Place the shaped bread onto a lined baking sheet and let it proof for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes until the crust is golden and the bread is cooked through.
- Cool on a wire rack before serving. Decorate eyes and nose with melted chocolate, edible pink dust for rosy cheeks.
Recipe Video
Notes
- If you’re unfamiliar with the windowpane test, it means stretching the dough thinly to see if it holds without tearing. If it tears, keep kneading!
- Use Softened Butter for Easy Kneading: When adding butter to the dough, make sure it’s soft but not melted. This ensures easy incorporation and helps create a smoother, more elastic dough.
- Perfect Dough Consistency: The dough should be soft and slightly tacky but not sticky. If it’s too sticky, add a little more flour, and if it’s too dry, sprinkle a bit of water until the texture is right.
- Chill the Milk Powder Filling: Before adding the filling to the dough, let it chill for a bit. This helps it hold its shape better during assembly and baking.
- Shape the Bread Carefully: When shaping the rugby ball-like dough, keep the edges thinner than the center. This helps the bread puff nicely into the perfect hot dog bun or porcupine shape without collapsing.
- Roll the Chocolate Dough Thin: When wrapping the chocolate dough around the bread, roll it out thin to avoid overpowering the plain dough. The contrast in thickness between the chocolate exterior and the soft interior adds to the visual appeal.
- Use Scissors for Accurate Spikes: To create the porcupine spikes, use kitchen scissors to make small, triangular cuts in the chocolate dough. Make sure each spike stands upright for the best visual effect.
- Allow Enough Proofing Time: Let the dough proof until it has doubled in size to ensure the bread is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for achieving the soft texture.
- Bake at the Right Temperature: Keep your oven temperature steady at 180°C (350°F) to ensure even baking without burning the exterior or undercooking the filling.
- Test the Bread for Doneness: The bread is done when it sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom, or when a toothpick inserted into the bread comes out clean.
- Get Creative with the Shape: While this recipe focuses on porcupine hedgehogs, you can experiment with other shapes and fillings, letting your creativity guide you!
Story Moment: My son watched with excitement as I cut the spikes into the dough. He kept saying, “It looks like a real hedgehog!”—his excitement made the whole baking experience even more special
How to Shape the Porcupine Hedgehog Bread
One of the most important parts of this recipe is getting the shape just right. Here’s how I do it:
- Shape the Body: Once the dough has proofed and is ready to be shaped, I roll the plain dough into an oval rugby-ball shape. This forms the base of the porcupine.
- Add the Filling: After rolling out the dough, I flatten it slightly and place the milk powder filling in the center. The filling gives the bread a delicious, creamy surprise in every bite.
- Wrap with Chocolate Dough: Next, I roll out the chocolate dough and wrap it around three-quarters of the plain dough, leaving the top exposed. This forms the porcupine’s body.
- Create the Spikes: Using kitchen scissors, I carefully snip small triangles into the chocolate dough. These little cuts create the spiky quills that give the bread its porcupine look. My son loves helping with this part, carefully watching as the dough transforms into a spiky creature.
- Bake to Perfection: Finally, the porcupine bread goes into the oven, and the real magic happens. The dough puffs up beautifully, and the chocolate dough crisps around the edges, making the spikes look just like a real porcupine.
Why My Son Loves Porcupine Hedgehog Bread
There’s something magical about creating food that’s not just delicious but also visually fun. My son’s love for porcupines and his excitement during the baking process has made this bread one of his all-time favorites. He enjoys tearing into the chocolate spikes and discovering the soft, pillowy bread inside. The milk powder filling adds an extra layer of sweetness, making each bite irresistible.
It’s become a special tradition for us. Every time we bake porcupine bread, it’s more than just making food—it’s about spending time together, being creative, and sharing laughter in the kitchen. My son takes pride in “helping” make the spikes, and I love seeing his eyes light up when he gets to enjoy the finished product.
Benefits of Baking with Your Kids
Baking porcupine hedgehog bread isn’t just a fun activity—it’s also a wonderful way to bond with your children. Here are some benefits I’ve discovered through our baking adventures:
- Creativity: Shaping the bread into porcupines allows kids to express their creativity. My son loves experimenting with how spiky he can make the bread!
- Confidence in the Kitchen: Baking together teaches children basic cooking skills and gives them the confidence to try new things.
- Quality Time: In our busy lives, it’s easy to get caught up in daily routines. Baking together gives us a chance to slow down, laugh, and create something special together.
Try Making Porcupine Hedgehog Bread at Home!
If you’re looking for a fun, creative baking project that your kids will love, I encourage you to try making porcupine hedgehog bread at home. It’s a whimsical twist on traditional bread, and the combination of the chocolate dough, soft filling, and adorable design makes it a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or just to enjoy some family time in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to bring smiles all around. Plus, it’s a great way to introduce your little ones to the joy of baking.
Conclusion
Making porcupine hedgehog bread has become more than just a recipe for our family—it’s a cherished tradition. My son’s love for the quirky, spiky creatures has turned a simple loaf of bread into something magical. Every time we bake this bread together, it’s a reminder that the best moments in life are often the simplest—like laughing together in the kitchen, shaping dough into something fun, and enjoying the delicious results.
So, the next time you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly baking project, why not try making porcupine hedgehog bread? Trust me, it’s not just a treat for the eyes—it’s a delicious delight that everyone will enjoy!
If you would like the other creative bread recipe, click on this Giraffe Light & Fluffy Bread : A taste of Tarango Zoo.
