Triple Chocolate Quick Bread

    

          I know it's technically still January, but my mind is already set on chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate!

         February - the month of Valentine's Day and the month of chocolate treats. Cakes, cupcakes, bars, cookies even drinks - it's all coming!

         I am starting the series of chocolate recipes with this quick bread. It's a nice start because it's a TRIPLE chocolate bread.  :D Yep, I went there.

         Cocoa powder, hot chocolate mix and chocolate chips create a trinity that puts this bread a bit higher than ol' plain banana breads.

         Surprisingly it is not overly sweet! The chocolate chips are sprinkled in the middle of the bread, where the crease usually creates during baking. The hot chocolate mix and cocoa powder create a nice, complementing mixture that you add to the dry ingredients, reducing the amount of flour.

         The color makes you happy - the taste makes you melt. :)

 Triple Chocolate Quick Bread


makes 2 loafs

1 1/2 c packed light brown sugar
1/2 c oil or 1 stick of butter, melted and room temp.
2 eggs, slightly beaten
3 overripe bananas, mashed ( about 1 cup )
1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
1/4 c unsweetened cocoa powder
1 packet ( 1.25 oz. ) hot chocolate mix
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 - 1/2 c chocolate chips
1/4 c milk


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Grease your loaf pans with shortening or spray with cooking spray.
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients ( flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cocoa powder and hot chocolate mix ).
In a large mixing bowl, combine sugar and oil and mix until just combined.
Add eggs and mashed bananas and vanilla and milk. Stir with a spatula or wooden spoon.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients. Mix gently, do not over mix.
Divide batter among your prepared pans. Sprinkle the chocolate chips in the center of each loaf, where the crease creates during baking. Gently pat it down with a spoon so some of the batter will cover it.
Bake 50 to 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remember, there are chocolate chips hiding in the center. :)

Cool for few minutes in a pan and then invert onto a cutting board. Cool completely before cutting.

Are you looking forward to February?

Enjoy!