Orange and chocolate are delicious partners

You can't tell from the picture, but this bread smells delightfully of fresh orange. (Photos: Kathy Morrison)

Recipe: Quick buttermilk bread includes plenty of zest



Pairing orange and chocolate is my kind of delicious. I've always loved See's orange creams, chocolate-dipped orange peel and Swenson's Swiss orange chip ice cream. I know not everyone appreciates the marriage of chocolate and fruit; it's a personal preference.

But I also feel that if orange is supposed to be a prominent flavor in something, it really needs to stand out. Orange is so sweet that it can easily be overwhelmed by spices or other ingredients. So in adding chocolate to this quick bread, I made sure the orange flavor wasn't wimpy: The bread has zest from two entire navel oranges.

The recipe is based on a terrific basic buttermilk quick bread from thekitchn.com ; the writer Emma Christensen offers 10 other variations , and ideas to made your own favorite combination.  So if you'd prefer coconut, or chopped nuts, or crystalized ginger with your orange, or no orange at all, jump in there. I'll stick with my very orange-y chocolate chip loaf and be quite happy.

This is one of my favorite flavor combinations. The oranges are from my tree. I like to use mini chips in baking because they don't sink.

Orange chocolate chip quick bread
Adapted from thekitchn.com
Makes 10 slices

Ingredients :

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
Zest from 2 medium or large navel oranges

1 cup buttermilk
1 large egg
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
Powdered sugar for topping, optional

Instructions :

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a standard 9-by-5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, stir or whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and orange zest.

Use a light hand when mixing this or indeed any quick bread.

In a medium bowl or glass measuring cup, stir together the buttermilk and the egg until blended, then stir in the melted butter and the vanilla extract.

Pour the liquid ingredients over the flour mixture and stir just until moistened. Carefully fold in the mini chips -- you don't want to overmix this batter.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and even it out into the corners. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until top is golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing it. If desired, dust the top with powdered sugar before slicing.