1. If you are using Nutella for the filling, you can skip this step. Make the chocolate filling. In a small saucepan, add the heavy cream and butter. Heat over medium heat until butter is melted, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat. Add the chocolate chips and stir until melted. Whisk in the powdered sugar and cocoa powder until smooth and combined. To make the filling ultra creamy, pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, or a large bowl, add the yeast, sugar, warm milk, flour, eggs, salt and softened butter. Knead for 5 minutes on medium speed, or 10 minutes by hand.

3. Place dough in greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to rise for 1 ½ hours at room temperature. Alternatively, you can allow the dough to rise for 45 minutes in a warm oven.

4. Lightly grease two 9×5 inch loaf pans and line with parchment paper.

5. Punch dough down and divide into 2 roughly equal pieces. Keep one piece covered in bowl, while you roll the other piece into a 12×16 inch rectangle. Spread half of the chocolate filling over the rectangle, leaving a 1-inch border.

6. Starting at the short end, roll the dough up into a cylinder. Using a serrated knife, cut the cylinder in half, vertically. With the cut sides facing up, place the pieces beside each other. Press the edges together at one end to seal. Twist the pieces together, cut sides facing up and tucking the ends underneath the loaf. Gently place in prepared loaf pan. Cover with plastic wrap.

7. Repeat with remaining piece of dough and cover with plastic wrap.

8. Allow the dough to rise at room temperature for 1 hour. Alternatively, preheat the oven to 100F. Once the oven reaches this temperature, turn the oven off and place the covered pans in the warm oven. Allow to rise in warm oven for 30 minutes.

9. Preheat oven to 350F. (make sure the bread is not in the oven if you used the oven to rise the dough)

10. Bake the loaves for 35 minutes, or until tops are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

For the syrup

1. Heat water in a small saucepan over medium heat, bringing to a simmer. Add sugar and whisk until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat.

2. Allow loaves to cool 30 minutes in pan. Brush loaves with syrup after removing from the oven. Serve warm or at room temperature and enjoy!