Not just any bread...

I have discovered an absolutely wonderful website! It is called "Joy of Baking"; I think this may be the name of a cookbook too, but I'm not sure. (Or even sure they are related if there is a cookbook with that title.) But, oh my goodness, it is the very BEST baking recipe site I have ever been to! It's super organized, so you can find whatever type of recipe your looking for~ cookies, breakfast and brunch, pies, muffins, scones, you name it! This one is going on my list of favorite places to "go"! :)



I found a quick bread recipe that is so amazing, I HAVE to share it! Truly, I am compelled! :) Who would ever have guessed that Zucchini Bread could be so good? I mean, I've always liked zucchini bread, but add cocoa powder and chocolate chips to the mix, and suddenly, it's a breakfast brownie! I am going to give you this recipe, because I would be a very bad blogger friend not to! :) Make sure to check this site out if you enjoy baking ( www.joyofbaking.com ) ~ you won't be disappointed!

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

1 1/2 shredded raw zucchini (about 1/2 pound or 227 grams)
1 cup (140 grams) all-purpose flour
1/2 cup (45 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted (not Dutch-processed)
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 cup ( 120 ml) safflower or canola oil
1/2 cup (100 grams) granulated white sugar
1/2 cup (105 grams) light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
3/4 cup (125 grams) semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place rack in the center of the oven. Grease (or spray with a nonstick vegetable spray) a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pan. Set aside.

Grate the zucchini, using a medium sized grater. Set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, salt, ground cinnamon, and ground allspice. Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer (or with a hand mixer), beat the oil, sugars, eggs, and vanilla extract until well blended (about 2 minutes). Fold in the grated zucchini. Add the flour mixture, beating until just combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until the bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55-65 minutes. Place on a wire rack to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove the bread from the pan and cool completely.

Enjoy! :)


I also wanted to thank Tricia Anne at Notes of Sincerity for this beautiful award!

How sweet is that? I love Tricia Anne's blog, and so much enjoy my visits there! :)

The rules are to pass this on to six other great crafting bloggers, and to list six things that make me happy...so, my favorite part of all of this is getting the opportunity to give this to some wonderful bloggers!

1. Rachel at Made With Love and Glue Lots of Glue ~ Oh, I love this girl's blog! She is so talented! She is a wonderful photographer, stitches such wonderful designs, and creates the most beautiful pumpkin pillows! :)
2. Kim at One Woman's Cottage Life ~ One of my first faves! What first inspired me about her blog, was that she is transforming a fixer-upper into a beautiful cottage (just like we are trying to do!). Then I saw the faux candies and desserts she makes, and I just have to say I have not seen anything like it! She has such creative ability! :)
3. Memoirs From a Southern Domestic Goddess ~ This girl's blog is SO fun! I love her sense of humor, and her love for life and her family is very apparent. Did I mention the tutu she made for her daughter? It's amazing! I am going to have to see if she can make one for my youngest daughter...
4. Andrea from Under A Blue Moon ~ I always love to see what she's up to! She is SO creative, and she can do anything! I absolutely LOVE her crazy quilt and her pincushions...really, Andrea, you COULD start a cottage industry selling those!
5. The Robin's Nest ~ I recently "found" this blog, and love it! I just love her pictures, and she is so crafty! I love her pumpkin treat bags she made, and can't wait to try it! :)
6. The Berry's Patch ~ This blog is so beautiful! Her pictures are amazing, and she has such an amazing gift of decorating. She has such a good idea for what looks good together, and thinks of things I never would have! :)

Thank you, those listed above, and ALL of you wonderful, creative bloggers out there! I am SO blessed to *know* you! :)

And if you're still around...here are six things that make me happy:

1. Of course, first and foremost, Jesus Christ. But far more than making me just happy, he has blessed me with such incredible JOY! He brings me peace, in a world full of chaos.
2. Date nights with my wonderful husband! There is no one on earth I love more!
3.Time with my family and friends, whether on the phone or in person! I wouldn't trade one moment with any one of you for anything! :)
4. Blogging! It's one of my absolute favorite things, and I have met so many kind and creative people!
5. Coffee, and lots of it!
6. Painting walls...I know, I know~ this sounds crazy! But I love it so much, and just color in general, that I am constantly painting and repainting! My husband jokes that the house is shrinking due to all the layers of paint!

Well, I hope you are all having a great week so far! I am off to, uh, prime and paint some ceilings...