We’ve all been asked, “If there is only one food you could have for the rest of your life, what would you pick?” Basically, what is your favorite food? This is a tough question for me. I love almost all food, especially sweets. Luckily, none of us will probably have to actually eat only one thing, so it may make the question a little easier to answer. My reply when I am asked that question is bread. I love bread. I love bagels, biscuits, boule, bread sticks, brioche, ciabatta, croissants, doughnuts, farl, focaccia, french, honey wheat, pita, quick breads, sourdough, and good old white to name a few! My friend picked me up from the airport recently and she asked if we could stop at Jimmy John’s to order subs. I said that was fine, but I just want a day-old loaf for fifty cents.
“All you want is bread?” she asked.
“Yes. I love plain ‘ol bread!” I replied.
A couple of years ago, my Lawyerboy husband and I had our friends from junior college over for supper. They were very generous with their words and complimenting me on the meal. She asked what my favorite thing to bake is. Once again, that is another hard question. I answered by telling her I love to bake anything, but quick breads and cookies are my favorite. She had never heard the term quick bread and wanted to know what that meant. I gave her examples like banana bread and pumpkin bread. She of course knew those types of breads, just had never heard them called ‘quick breads’ until now.
I think I love quick breads so much, because they’re bread, my favorite food, and they are sweet. My favorite adjective to describe food.
Here is a recipe for a new quick bread that I just found, tweaked, and tried. Since this blogging is all so new to me, I thought my first recipe and pictures could be brand new, too! As Lawyerboy took his first bite in the kitchen, his reaction was, “This is so good. It is like eating cake for breakfast.” Lawyerboy is so easy to love… usually! 🙂
Chocolate Chai Bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees – Prep time: 25 minutes – Bake time: 40 minutes – Makes: 14 to 16 slices
2 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extra
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons chai tea latte mix (I use Tazo)
1/3 cup sour cream
In a small microwavable size bowl, melt the chocolate and water. Melt it for 88 seconds and give it a stir. If it needs more time, melt it in 22 second intervals so it doesn’t burn. Set aside and let cool slightly.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add one egg and beat well by hand. Then add the other egg and beat well. Add the vanilla and melted chocolate to the batter.
Add the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir until mixed. Then add the chai tea mix and sour cream. Blend until smooth.
Grease a 9 inch x 5 inch bread pan. I use good ‘ol butter! Pour the batter in. Bake at 350 degrees for 40 to 45 minutes. Check with a toothpick after 40 minutes to see if it comes out clean. If not, give it a few more minutes. Cool for 10 minutes in the bread pan! Allow to almost cool on a wire rack or the way my mom taught me and still does today… lay out a clean white dish towel and place wax paper or parchment paper on top. This prevents marks on the bottom, but either way works!
Frosting
1 1/4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 tablespoon butter, softened
2 tablespoons chai tea latte mix (Tazo)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 to 4 teaspoons milk
In a small bowl, mix the frosting ingredients together in order they are listed. Start with 3 teaspoons of milk. If it is not to your desired consistency, had another teaspoon of milk.
After the Chocolate Chai Bread has almost cooled, use a teaspoon and scoop it on top of the bread. Slowly use the pack of the spoon to spread it over the bread. Allow it to drip over onto the sides. Then, enjoy a slice or two!
Pictures and Tips:
Lawyerboysbakergirl 
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