Spiced Chai Banana Bread

This Spiced Chai Banana Bread recipe is an ode to my love for chai lattes. The perfect combination of bread and tea for your afternoon snack, this sweet baker's dream features a deeply ripened banana flavor along with hints of orange zest, lavender, and of course, roasted chai tea. Add in a few drops of white chocolate chips, and this bread is ready for the dessert table. 

Spiced Chai Banana Bread
Serves 6

Banana Bread Ingredients
1½ cups all-purpose flour
1¼ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup (packed) dark brown sugar
⅓ cup mascarpone
¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
2 large eggs
4 large very ripe bananas, mashed (about 1½ cups)
½ cup white chocolate chips
1 orange, zested
1/2 lemon, zested
2 tsp dried lavender
1 spiced chai tea bag

Orange Glaze Ingredients
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup fresh orange juice
1/2 tbsp of vanilla bean paste

STEP 1 Preheat oven to 350°. Lightly coat 8" bundt pan with butter and a little bit of white sugar (to avoid sticking)

STEP 2 Mash bananas with orange zest, lemon zest, lavender, and chai from half a tea bag in a small bowl. 

STEP 3 In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking soda, and salt until well incorporated.

STEP 4 Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat brown sugar, mascarpone, and butter in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating to blend after each addition and scraping down sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

STEP 5 Reduce speed to low, add flour mixture, and mix until just combined. Add bananas and mix just until combined. Fold in chocolate.

STEP 6 Pour batter into prepared pan. Tap the pan on the counter a few times to remove any air bubbles. Bake bread for 60–65 minutes. Use a toothpick to insert into the bread. If it comes out clean, your bread is ready to take out of the oven. Transfer pan to a wire rack and remove from bundt pan while still warm.

STEP 7 Combine confectioners' sugar, orange juice and vanilla bean paste in a mixing bowl. Whisk until smooth.

FIN. Wait until the cake has cooled before drizzling icing over the top. Serve and enjoy!