Sunday, November 28, 2010

Chocolate Bread...Forgotten


Friends, I have a bit of a problem today.

My problem comes in the form of Monet's rich, moist, milk chocolate-studded chocolate bread.

I know what you're thinking: "Kylie--That's just the kind of problem I'd like to have!"

Under normal circumstances I would completely agree with you.

This bread, however, was intended for my in-laws. Adam headed North early this morning for a few days of male bonding with his dad. You know--hanging out in the woods in sub-freezing temperatures, hunting for furry, defenseless creatures, coming inside occasionally for a beer and a game of darts.

Can you smell the testosterone?

While I have no regrets about being excluded from this annual bonding ritual, I do miss visiting his parents, who we only get to visit a few times a year. Since I won't be seeing them until Christmas, I wanted to send warm wishes (and a little WV love) in the form of baked treats this week.

Enter Monet's magnificent bread.


The bread was baked, sliced, and neatly packaged. Over-flowing with milk chocolate chips, and screaming to have a slather of peanut butter on each slice, I placed the travel-ready bread on the table to be packed in the car with Adam's hunting gear.

Naturally, about an hour after Adam's departure, I noticed the bread sitting on the table.

Oh, dear.

I had a slice (or two) with my lunch, and I owe Monet many thanks for the recipe--I'll definitely be making mini loaves of it to go with my holiday cookie plates.

But I can't hide my disappointment with forgetting to pack it. Looks like I'll have to make double the treats at Christmas to make up for the forgotten bread :)


Dark Chocolate Bread
(recipe from Monet at Anecdotes and Apple Cores)


This bread is just wonderful--especially with Monet's recommendation of peanut butter on top. The best part though, is the milk chocolate chips sprinkled throughout.


Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cups brown sugar
  • 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 - 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 - 1/2 tsp. baking soda
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 tsp. baking powder
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 3/4 cup buttermilk
  • 1/2 cup oil
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 cup milk chocolate chips

  • Directions:

    1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray, and set aside.

    2) In a large bowl combine dry ingredients and set aside. In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. Add the liquid ingredients to the dry while your electric mixer is turn on medium-low. Mix until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips

    3) Bake for approximately 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean (as a rule, I always start checking quick breads about 8 minutes early, just to be safe!).

    4) For serving, spread your slice with natural peanut butter

    *A variation I might try for my Christmas loaves: 1 tsp. of mint extract into the batter, mint chocolate chips, and a drizzle of melted mint chocolate chips on top.

    18 comments:

    1. I saw this on Anecdotes and Apple Chores and thought it looked divine. How amazing is chocolate bread?

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    2. Chocolate bread! Those are two of my favorite things. I'm sure it's amazing with that peanut butter on it. Love your holiday variation! I think I'd try it with half milk chocolate chips and half PB chips. :D And I'd say I felt sorry for you for being left with that loaf of bread...but I'm not! ;)

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    3. Oh. My. I can only imagine how incredible this would taste with a mug of eggnog. Seriously this is on my Christmas Day list of breakfast food!!

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    4. That bread looks way too good for consumption... especially on the heels of Thanksgiving. But Christmas is coming soon.

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    5. Be still my heart, I have never had chocolate bread! And smeared with peanut butter? That looks heavenly!

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    6. I saw this on Monet's blog as well and thought it look delicious! I love your adaptation ideas for the holidays. I might have to make multiple loaves...some to share and some to keep :)

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    7. I would gladly take any leftovers you have off your hands! I always hate when I forget to give people the things I made or bought for them

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    8. Sign me up! Good call on the PB, again, too :)

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    9. Hi Lovely! I'm so glad that this turned out well and that you enjoyed...nothing makes me happier than seeing people try one of the recipes I've posted! Your loaf looks beautiful, and I'm sorry that it didn't reach its final destination. I'm going to have to make some more of these myself! Thank you for sharing, and thank you for mentioning me. I'm truly touched!

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    10. How long would you bake the mini loaves?

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    11. I love the idea of adding peppermint extract! I bet that'd be amazing! :)

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    12. Great question about the mini-loaves! Although I haven't tried them yet, I intend on checking them first at 30 minutes and seeing how things go from there :)

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    13. wow, I have never seen this before and I'm drooling! This looks amazing!

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    14. Hello, gorgeous. I think that's one where I would feel bad it was left behind and then promptly inhale the whole darned thing :)

      Chocolate...peanut butter...peanut butter and chocolate...Amen.

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    15. What a sad sad tale of loneliness and sorrow.
      Take good care of that bread, that poor poor thing.
      I'm pretty sure it's only solace is knowing that it has you.

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    16. I just bookmarked this! I love your suggestion of using mint chocolate chips too :-)

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    17. oooh i love the idea of mint for christmas. yum!

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    18. Oh my. This sounds sinful. Safe to say this loaf will be in my kitchen by the end of this weekend!

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