Orange Chocolate Chip Quick Bread Recipe

Orange Chocolate Chip Quick Bread

 

Orange marmalade and chocolate chips are a match made in heaven in this easy quick bread recipe. I prefer dark chocolate, but milk chocolate works just fine. If you cannot use chocolate, try substituting your favorite dried fruit such as raisins, cherries, or cranberries. The simple orange glaze is optional but enhances the orange flavor of the bread. This bread is great for breakfast, snacks, or tea time.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 50 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 5 minutes

Yield: 1 loaf

Ingredients:

• 1 navel orange
• 1/2 cup (8 Tablespoons or 1 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup orange marmalade
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup white granulated sugar
• 1 Tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup chilled semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk mixed with the juice of half of the orange
• .
• Optional Orange Glaze:
• 1 cup confectioners' powdered sugar
• 1 to 2 Tablespoons orange juice

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 9- by 5-inch loaf pan with vegetable spray.

Use a microplane or fine grater to remove the zest (rind) from the orange. You should have about 1 tablespoon of finely grated orange zest. Cut the orange in half and add the juice from one half into the milk. Reserve the other half for the orange glaze, if using.

Place butter and orange marmalade in a heat-proof bowl and microwave on high for 45 to 60 seconds (or melt in a saucepan). Stir to combine and let cool.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt in a large bowl. Toss the chocolate chips to coat with the flour. Set aside.

Beat eggs with milk/orange juice mixture, using a dinner fork.

Add cooled buttered marmalade, egg mixture, and orange zest to the flour mixture. Stir with a dinner fork until combined but do not over-mix. Any lumps will smooth out in the baking.

Pour into prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour, until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool to room temperature before slicing to serve.

Optional Orange Glaze:
Whisk 1 to 2 Tablespoons of orange juice with 1 cup powdered sugar to a drizzling consistency. Spoon into a zip-top bag, squeeze out the air, and seal. Snip off one small corner of the bag and use as a pastry bag to drizzle the cooled orange marmalade bread with the glaze.

Yield: 1 loaf

Note: Raisins, or other dried fruit such as cherries or cranberries, may be substituted for the chocolate chips. Plump the dried fruit in hot water for 15 minutes, drain, and pat dry before substituting.

Source: homecooking.about.com