I love Pumpkin Bread and I love Dirty Chai Lattes so I figured I should meld the two into one. In case you don’t know what a Dirty Chai is, it’s a Chai Latte with a shot of espresso. Try it if you haven’t already! I called this a loaf instead of bread because it really lends more toward a cake… in the shape of a loaf. Generous additions of espresso powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cardamom give this baked good the Dirty Chai twist. If baking is bringing you much needed comfort right now (like it is for me), this is a must try. It is also made up of pantry staples, making it the perfect baking project for a quarantine. Enjoy!

Recipe:

2 Cups all purpose flour

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp. ground ginger

1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp ground cardamom

1 stick softened butter

1/2 Cup dark brown sugar

3/4 Cup granulated sugar

2 tsp. espresso powder

1 Cup pumpkin puree

1/4 Cup Greek yogurt or sour cream

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a loaf pan by coating all sides with butter or non stick cooking spray. Line the bottom of the loaf pan with parchment paper.

Place butter, sugars, and espresso powder in a mixing bowl and beat on medium until thoroughly combined. I usually beat these ingredients together for 5-10 minutes until they are light and fluffy. This step makes any baked good better. Next, mix flour, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl.

In another bowl, mix eggs, pumpkin, yogurt or sour cream, vanilla extract and almond extract together until combined. Add these wet ingredients to your butter and sugar mixture. Mix until fully combined, occasionally scraping down the sides of the mixing bowl.

One half at a time, add dry ingredients to your wet ingredient mixture. Mix until just fully combined. No not over mix or you will get a tough, chewy baked good.

Place batter evenly into loaf pan (batter will be thick). Bake for 50-60 minutes or until the loaf is risen and a toothpick comes out clean after being inserted into the middle.

Serve warm with butter.