Life-in-the-South-ICON

Chocolate speculoos banana bread might be my new addiction, like all my other banana obsessions, this one is right at the top of the list. All things baking are running through my head, and with only so much space to eat everything, banana bread is one of my preferred baked goodies. What makes this loaf so special is the fact that it’s loaded with festive vibes all the way. With Christmas only a couple weeks away, I can’t help but feel weird about the whole thing. Maybe when kids are involved, you realize finally that time does indeed fly and soon our little munchkin will be two years old. It feels just like yesterday that he was born.

 

Chocolate speculoos banana bread might be my new addiction, like all my other banana obsessions, this one is right at the top of the list. All things baking are running through my head, and with only so much space to eat everything, banana bread is one of my preferred baked goodies. What makes this loaf so special is the fact that it’s loaded with festive vibes all the way. With Christmas only a couple weeks away, I can’t help but feel weird about the whole thing. Maybe when kids are involved, you realize finally that time does indeed fly and soon our little munchkin will be two years old. It feels just like yesterday that he was born.

 

I just forgot what it was like with him when we celebrated his first Christmas, maybe by that stage he wasn’t a baby anymore but a very curious little munchkin. Since then he hasn’t stopped and a weekend alone with him just makes me realize how busy he actually is. For us mom’s though, it’s a crazy messy ride that you only get to see through every now and again. I really don’t have the time or energy to cook over a weekend like this, so I make a giant batch of soup, stews and banana bread. They are my lifesavers!

This Chocolate speculoos banana bread is very easy to make and you won’t even miss the eggs for that matter. It fills the house with a delish spiced chocolaty smell. The actual art of baking the perfect banana bread is waiting for this baby to cool down and that takes a lot of self control. I want to make a pecan version too and have something very special in mind.

 

When I think about a traditional SA Christmas there are a few things that come to mind and I’ll get around to posting some SA inspired recipes. I certainly do miss the togetherness of all of our families, not only is food the main attraction, but also just celebrating being together and what the festive season actually means behind all the bling of the Christmas lights. We have been spending the last four years with a white Christmas so to speak and the menu and also the activities have changed quite a bit!

As long as there are enough baked goodies like this one on the table I’ll be a happy gal. There is not a lot that comes close to a fresh baked banana bread. You’ll have to try it to believe me!

 

Recipe

0
Prep Time
0
Cook Time
Serves 4
4 - 6 People
Difficulty 0
Beginner

Ingredients

  • 2 cups spelt flour or any other gluten-free flour like quinoa or rye
  • 1 tsp speculoos spice (I bought mine from Dille et Kamille)
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 cup almond butter or cashew butter
  • 1/2 cup almond milk
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup flax seed meal
  • 3 very ripe bananas
  • 1/3-1/2 cup chopped vegan chocolate or dark chocolate
  • 1/4 cocoa nibs

Method

  1. Preheat oven to 175 degrees Celcius.
  2. Mix together the dry ingredients together like the flours, spices and the salt.
  3. Then mash the bananas and add the rest of the wet ingredients except the chocolate.
  4. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet and then lastly add the chopped chocolate, leaving a little extra to sprinkle on top alongside the cocoa nibs.
  5. Scoop into a pre-smeared bread tin.
  6. Bake the bread for 35-40 minutes until cooked and brown on top, leave to cool before removing from the bread tin, test with a cake pin to see if the bread is fully cooked.
  7. Store in a cool dry place or in aluminum foil to allow the bread to retain it’s moisture and soften even more.
  8. Additional add in’s can be chopped pecans and dried cranberries.
  9. The longer you let the bread sit, the more it will soften, so it’s best to keep it stored in room temperature wrapped in foil.

Notes:

  • You can sub the speculoos spice with gingerbread spice.
  • You can make use of any other chocolate you prefer instead of the vegan chocolate.
  • The coconut sugar can be subbed with brown sugar.
  • Spelt flour can be subbed with whole wheat or any other gluten-free flour like quinoa or rye.
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Hope you love this recipe as much as we do. If you have any specific Christmas recipes in mind, let me know!

Have a great weekend**

M*