Fresh Chocolate Challa

In a large mixing bowl stir together 1 cup of the flour, the cocoa powder, and yeast; set aside.

In a medium saucepan heat soy milk, sugar, margarine, and salt just until warm (120 to 130 degrees) and margarine almost melts. Add milk mixture to flour mixture. Add egg; beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping the side of the bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in pecans, chopped dates, and orange peel. Stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can.

Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (about 4 minutes). Shape dough into ball. Place in a lightly greased bowl; turn once to grease the surface. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size (about 1-1/2 hours).

Punch dough down. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Divide dough into thirds. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes. Shape each portion of dough into a 16-inch-long rope (3 ropes total). Place the ropes about 1 inch apart on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Starting in the middle of ropes, loosely braid by bringing the left rope under the center rope. Next bring right rope under the new center rope. Repeat to the end. On the other end, braid by bringing alternate ropes over center rope. Press ends together to seal; tuck under. Cover; let rise in a warm place until nearly double (about 1 hour).

Bake in 325 degree F oven about 35 minutes or until bread sounds hollow when lightly tapped. (If necessary, cover loosely with foil the last 10 to 15 minutes of baking to prevent over-browning. ) Remove from baking sheet. Cool on wire rack;