Here’s a quick bread that satisfies your craving for chocolate and features the extra chewiness of apple and walnut pieces. It makes a great breakfast bread, and you can warm it in the microwave—or spread it with cream cheese and your favorite jam to make a sandwich!
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 T. plain yogurt
2 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. each of salt, baking powder, and baking soda
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 cup coarsely chopped apples
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, divided
1 cup chocolate chips
Topping
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
¼ cup finely chopped walnuts
Preheat the oven to 350º. Spray or grease a 9”x5” bread pan.
In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar, then add the eggs, vanilla extract, and the yogurt and mix well. Gradually mix in the flour, cocoa powder, and remaining dry ingredients. Stir in the apples, the 1/2 cup of walnuts, and chocolate chips. Spread the batter in the prepared pan. Mix the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the batter. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean. Cool in the pan for 15 minutes and finish cooling the bread on a rack. Best if wrapped and served the following day. Freezes well.
Kitchen Hint: For a festive touch, make a frosting of 1 cup powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp. almond extract, and 2 T. milk (or enough to make a thin drizzle). Drizzle over top of cooled bread.