Vanilla Chai Loaf with Chai Oatmeal Crumble

If I'm not drinking lattes, you'll find me with a hot mug of vanilla chai. 

This loaf is just as good if not better than my cup of hot steamy and sweet tea.

I'm so excited for Christmas!  But I keep forgetting I have Thanksgiving first:)  The leaves are finally starting to change and the air is definitely colder.  Finally, the weather is matching the month!

As I was thinking about what I want to write about, I kept thinking about time.  I will never figure time out.  Sometimes its like soap in the bathtub and other times, it's like chained wrists without a key.  Right now, time is flying.  I feel like each day, despite slowing down thanks to Rebekah, is trying to run as fast as it can away from me.  Sure, I can't wait until Christmas, but I'm not ready for Thanksgiving. Where did 2013 go?  Come back!  (I sound like a lover who has miscommunicated ... :)

Seriously though, I love my time, however, I have to make sure we are on the same page or life just doesn't work out.  I get into arguments with my clock and calendar ... although usually, it's my fault.  I best utilize my time when I make a list of every single thing I need to get done the next day and at what times I am going to do those things.  It keeps me on track and it keeps me from forgetting certain things.  (Yes, I do write "get up" on the list ... what?  It makes me feel like I did something AND if I really wanted to, it wouldn't be that hard to forget;)

Daylight Savings can be my best friend or my enemy. This time of year, I love it. An extra hour of sleep? Uh yeah!  Though I think I always stay up too late and negate any benefit ... 

I've liked it getting lighter earlier and darker earlier.  I actually feel like it's time to get up at 6:25 am!  Although I miss running after dinner, me and the boys have begun out flashlight tag marathon we play throughout the winter.

Time. Always moving, never stopping.  Sounds like our dishwasher. I'm loving spending my time in the kitchen. (Read: Messy counters and dirty dishes)  Hence, this loaf. While I was photographing it, John Caleb kept asking for a slice. He and I ate half the loaf in one sitting and it wasn't even a meal time. 

This loaf has a lovely domed top, which surprised me, considering there wasn't much of the batter and it was very thin. After baking, it is dense and moist and not crumbly at all.  The texture is softer than my other quick breads and has less of a crumb, which is why the crumble tastes crunchier. The crumble; crunchy and sweet and arguably the best part.  The spices and flavors of chai are swirled throughout the whole loaf and the oatmeal crumble complements the soft slices. It's a texture party!  For fun, you could pour half the batter in, then sprinkle the crumble over that, and then pour the rest of the batter over it.

Vanilla Chai Loaf with Chai Oatmeal Crumble
Recipe Source: The Sweet {Tooth} Life
Yield: 12 slices

For loaf:
1-1/2 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup dry chai tea mix
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup milk (I used low fat)
2 eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla
1/4 cup oil

For crumble:
heaping 1/4 cup quick oats
2 tablespoons dry chai tea mix
1 tablespoon oil

Preheat oven to 350. 

For loaf: Whisk flour, chai tea mix, brown sygar, and baking powder together.  In a small bowl, whisk milk, eggs, vanilla, and oil together.  Pour wet ingredients into dry and whisk until just combined.  Batter will be runny.  Pour into a small greased and floured loaf pan and set aside.

For crumble: Combine ingredients until all the oats and chai mix are wet and crumbly.  Sprinkle over loaf batter.

Bake at 350 for 45 minutes. 

Do you guys have a favorite way you spend your time?