Bitter Chocolate, Lavender, and Banana Tea Loaf

The unexpected flavor combination of bitter chocolate, lavender flowers, and orange zest gives banana bread a sophisticated taste that goes perfect with a cup of your favorite tea.

• Preparation Time: 25 mins
• Cooking Time: 60 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
• Calories: 442 Calories

Ingredients

• ½ cup butter, softened
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup white sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup mashed banana
• ½ cup vegetable shortening
• 1 teaspoon grated nutmeg
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh orange zest
• 2 teaspoons dried orange peel
• ½ cup chopped bitter chocolate
• 1 teaspoon dried lavender flowers
• 1 tablespoon coarse sugar for decorating (Optional)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean, about 1 hour.

Step 2

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 5x9-inch loaf pan and line with parchment paper.

Step 3

Beat banana, sugar, butter, and shortening together until smooth; mix in eggs. Stir fresh orange zest, dried orange peel, nutmeg, and vanilla extract into mixture. Gradually stir flour into moist ingredients. Fold chocolate and lavender into batter. Spoon batter into prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle coarse sugar crystals over batter.