Look, I know everyone and their mother is already baking with pumpkin, but I just can’t do it. I’ve never fully understood why everyone rushes to bake with pumpkin all September long. By November they’re over the pumpkin craze and just move straight into Christmas baking. That I can kind of understand, but I’m someone who likes to celebrate Thanksgiving. Personally, I really don’t want to get sick of pumpkin before Turkey Day even rolls around. In September, I stick to baking with apples and chocolate instead. I know this may not be the popular thing to do. But something in me just feels like we have to wait for October to embrace the pumpkin season. Don’t worry though, come October 1st I’ll be baking and cooking up a pumpkin storm. I’ve already been brainstorming. Right now, we have a comforting autumn banana bread. It’s made with my favorite blend of warming spices commonly found in a steaming cup of chai.
Details
The chai spice mix is key. It really brings the aromas of fall into the kitchen and into the bread. Before you start the banana bread, make the chai spice mix. It’s a blend of cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, all-spice, cloves, and the tiniest bit of black pepper. You will not need all of the spice blend, just 1-2 tablespoons. I sometimes mix the remaining spice with sugar and use it like cinnamon sugar. Delicious on buttered toast. Next, locate some very ripe bananas. Ideally, they should have black spots all over them. These bananas will make the very best banana bread. Mash up the bananas and then mix them with a little coconut oil, maple syrup, a couple of eggs, and a splash of vanilla. Next, add whole wheat flour, the chai spice, and a dash of salt. Stir in chocolate chunks or chocolate chips and bake. An hour later your house will smell incredible and you’ll have the prettiest deep golden, chocolate-filled loaf of banana bread. While the bread bakes, I usually make the maple butter. It’s simply butter and maple whipped together. So easy, but really delicious when spread over a warm piece of bread. Each bite is filled with sweet chai-spiced cake and melty chocolate. The sweet, creamy butter just adds a specialness that’s fitting for fall days. Looking for other chai spiced recipes? Here are a few ideas: Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Latte Cupcakes with Cinnamon Brown Sugar Frosting Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Cream Cold Brew Chai Spiced Maple Sugar Cookies with Browned Butter Frosting Vanilla Chai Pumpkin Cupcakes Vanilla Chai Old Fashioned Chai Espresso Martini White Chocolate Chai Pumpkin Snickerdoodles Lastly, if you make this Chocolate Chunk Chai Banana Bread be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram! Looking through the photos of recipes you all have made is my favorite!
