Recipe: Chai-Spiced Bread

CHAI-SPICED BREAD

"Chai is the Hindi word for tea made with milk and spices such as cardamom, cloves, ginger, nutmeg and pepper. Serve as a snack or dessert with fresh fruit and tea."

3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
1/2 cup prepared tea or water
1/3 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 eggs
2 cups flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
FOR THE GLAZE:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
3 to 5 teaspoons milk (as needed)
Additional ground cinnamon

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Grease bottom only of 8x4 or 9x5-inch loaf pan with shortening or cooking spray.

In large bowl, beat granulated sugar and butter with electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. On low speed, beat in tea, 1/3 cup milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla and the eggs until ingredients are well combined (will appear curdled). Stir in remaining bread ingredients just until moistened. Spread in pan.

Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (do not underbake). Cool in pan on cooling rack 10 minutes. Loosen sides of loaf from pan; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool 30 minutes.

TO MAKE THE GLAZE:
In small bowl, stir powdered sugar, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla and 3 teaspoons of the milk, adding more milk by teaspoonfuls, until spreadable. Spread glaze over bread. Sprinkle with additional cinnamon.

Cool completely, about 2 hours, before slicing. Wrap tightly and store at room temperature up to 4 days, or refrigerate up to 10 days.

Makes 1 (9-inch) loaf or 2 (8 1/2-inch) loaves
From: Recipelink.com
Source: Recipe booklet: Fall Baking, Betty Crocker Recipe Magazine #240, Fall 2007