December 4, 2013

Chocolate Raspberry Bread

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Dark chocolate and deep red raspberries are so pretty together. Funny how when I start recipes, one of my first thoughts is how it will look on the blog.  Frankly, that's ridiculous; alas, the life of a food blogger. 

So we took Christmas pictures this week and me and mom were getting clothes out, trying to coordinate colors (getting 10 outfits that don't clash is hard) and then find the right spot where none of us are in the shadows, etc. and Dad (typical male) was like, "can we just take the picture?"  

I immediately shot back, "If we're going to do it, were going to do it right.  We don't want to look like a bunch of redneck country people who can't even get a family photo."  I was a little put off he wasn't appreciating how much work was going into this picture. Trust me, getting my family to cooperate and smile in church clothes on for a picture on a weekend - hard. 

That didn't fly so well (surprise) but what he said, although I was miffed, stuck with me. "You are too image based Mary Frances."

Whoa. That's quite the accusation, Dad. 



Am I?  Is everything I do based on my "image?"  Okay, so is that bad?  Can I even avoid it?  My Dad has proved to me you can live without worrying about your image yet avoid the redneck look (I apologize for the stereotype.)  Sure, my dad is a successful business man, but what does he know about girl's opinions on image? Um, a lot. But that is a whole nother topic.  The truth is, I really do care a lot about my image. I take pains to make my food look nice. I take time to do my hair and makeup and clothes. I like to have people like me. Those things aren't bad - seriously, what person doesn't want up be liked. What Dad was pointing out was that image becomes a problem when it's put before God and he was not-so subtly reminding me that it won't matter whether people think our Christmas card is picture perfect, even though I want people to think we are (just for the record, it's absolutely impossible.)  I'm not saying I need to start, well, acting completely without reason because, I don't care what others think!  No, I realized I need to quit spending so much time on creating an image that will make people think how cool I (or our family) am. Because I've realized, it's those who care about people and not their image, those are the people I'm most drawn to. 


While I was practicing physics problems in my room, Elizabeth and Abigail walked in and needed something to do. I handed them my Taste of Home magazines to flip through and they picked a chocolate peppermint loaf.  Since we didn't have candy canes to sprinkle on top, I decided to use what we needed to use up - raspberries. You can use fresh or frozen, although I don't know where you'll find fresh ... we made this several weeks ago!  

Now, I obviously omitted the mint extract ... however, I also forgot to add the chocolate chips.  So in those photos, there are no chocolate chips.  DON'T OMIT THEM.  It is fine without them, but it is great with them! :)


Chocolate and raspberry makes a great combination for this bread. The raspberries add moisture and pair nicely with the light, sweet loaf. Here's to a quiet afternoon with a slice of bread and a hot drink!




Chocolate Raspberry Bread
Recipe Source: Adapted from Taste of Home
Yield: 12 slices

2 tablespoons butter
2/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg + 1 egg white
1/3 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
1/4 cup strong brewed coffee
1 teaspoon vanilla
heaping 1 cup flour
1/4 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup chocolate chips
4 oz raspberries

Preheat oven to 350.  Lightly grease bread pan. 

In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar together.  Add egg, egg white, yogurt, coffee, and vanilla and beat well.  Stir flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt together; add to sugar mixture alternately with buttermilk.  Fold in chocolate chips.
Spread 1/2 of the batter into the pan.  Sprinkle the raspberries on top.  Pour rest of batter on top.  Sprinkle reserved raspberries on top of that.  Bake for 40-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out nearly clean.  Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to wire rack. 




   

27 comments:

  1. Ohhh it's the same thing on this end too! While I'm folding the batter, I'm secretly thinking about how it should be plated and all that! haha! Your chocolate raspberry loaf looks deliciously moist!!!! I could eat that everyday without getting bored! Yum!!!

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  2. Dear Mary Frances, Your chocolate raspberry bread looks wonderful. It would be perfect with a cup of coffee. For the award, just answer the questions I posted, and if you like (this part is optional) you can change the questions for your nominees. I just kept the questions the same though. And as for as picking nominees I do not think it matters if they have been nominated before, it's just a show of appreciate. Have a blessed day my dear, Catherine xo

    P.S.
    I am sure your holiday pictures will come out beautifully!

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    1. Thank you so much, Catherine, you are always so sweet and helpful!

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  3. I agree that image is important but it should not be anyone's main priority. Being a kind and thoughtful person will always result in people liking you...and baking up delicious treats like this ;)

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    1. Kind, thoughtful, and a good baker - perfect, Davida! No wonder I like you so much! :)

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  4. Chocolate and raspberry is such a great combination..I think I would like this a lot more than the mint version- yum!!

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  5. Dear Mary Frances, I am sure your family pictures will be fun and beautiful. It will be beautiful as long as you smile.
    Your heart will shine through.

    Your bread looks wonderful with a nice hot cup of coffee. Blessings dear. Catherine xo

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    1. It's funny because I was just doing an essay on how the heart is more important than the looks. Thank you Catherine!

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  6. Yum yum yum! I loooove Raspberry and Chocolate together! This sounds so yummy! Doc would love this!

    Good luck with your family photos! We tried doing it with all 20+ people in my family (that's counting nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law) and its a LOT of work. I'm sure your pictures will turn out great! :)

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  7. This bread looks phenomenal, Mary Frances! You did a great job on this. I love chocolate and fresh raspberries -- so classic. I would love a slice for breakfast right now!

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    1. Thanks Marcie! I actually just had a slice for snack! :)

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  8. This bread looks amazing... and I think adding chocolate chips would be fantastic. And I am with you on first thinking of how it will look on the blog before I bake anything, it's a never ending cycle :) I could go for a slice of this bread right now... with a big glass of milk!
    www.thecheerybaker.com

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  9. Oh YUM. Chocolate and raspberries?? That sounds like a combo my dad would love....
    Awesome thoughts, too. I totally get what you're saying, relying on how I look to feel "put together" so to speak is something I struggle with.

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    1. OH and beautiful pictures. Pinned!

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    2. Aw thanks Chloe! "relying on being put together" -> you word things so well! Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Oh my goodness Mary Frances!! Another wonderful recipe!! I LOVE raspberries and chocolate... seriously the best combo!! :)

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    1. Me too! It looks formal without actually being "fancy!"

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  11. Yum!!! I love the way this bread looks like!! Chocolaty, moist and fruity at the same time! I'm sure it was delicious! Great post Mary Frances :)
    xox Amy

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    1. You guys always describe my food way better in the comments than I do in the post! How do you do that?:) Thanks Amy!

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  12. I think that being fashionable is great as long as it's aimed to make you feel better about yourself and stuff! Feeling better with one's self makes you help the others, so yeah, in a way, being fashionable is cool! ;) Just like this bread, oh wow. It looks super pretty with all those lovely raspberries :D

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  13. Raspberry and chocolate make a great combination Mary Frances! And your pictures make me want to reach in and grab a slice! I totally get it. I worry a lot about my image too and my family's. I won't leave the house without makeup on.:-)

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    1. Same, although I wish I didn't have to rely on make up to feel put together. It's a good challenge! Thanks Reeni!

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