Green & Black's Organic Spiced Chocolate Loaf

When Green & Black's Organic contacted me this month wanting to know if I'd like to give one of their holiday recipes a whirl, I jumped at the chance.  After being introduced to Green & Black's Organic this spring, I have been in love... and feel good about it as they are the world leader in both organic and Fair Trade chocolate.

I selected to try their Spiced Chocolate Loaf recipe.  Initially I was a bit freaked out by the recipe, the method was different from any other loaf I've made and I didn't want to risk spoiling a bar and a half of delicious G&B chocolate on a failed recipe.  I had no reason to worry, the loaf came out fabulously and was so simple!  It's more cake-like than a usual loaf and is so moist. The subtle spices blended with the chocolate perfectly.

Spiced Chocolate Loaf

Adapted from Green & Black's Organic Holiday 2012

50g (1/2 a bar) Dark 70% Chocolate

100g all-purpose flour

125g icing sugar

1 tsp ground mixed spices (I used Epicure's Gingerbread Spice)

2 tsp baking powder

175g unsalted butter, at room temperature

4 large eggs, at room temperature

100g (1 bar) Dark Chocolate with Ginger

First, melt the dark chocolate (1/2 bar) over gently simmering water in a double boiler, set aside.

This recipe was given in weights, so again, I'll suggest, if you don't have a food scale, get one... it makes like much easier and your results more reliable.  If you don't have one yet though, you can see that the flour is about 2 tbsp shy of a cup.

The icing sugar would roughly equal a lightly packed cup.  Put the flour, icing sugar, baking powder and spices in a food processor and give it a whirl to combine.

Add the butter (I cubed it), eggs and melted dark chocolate to the food processor as well.

Blend until combined and then use a spatula to scrape down the sides, ensuring all is mixed.

Scrape batter into a 9" loaf pan, I prefer to line with a parchment sling and then spray lightly with oil.

Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven (325 convection) for 45 minutes, or until done in the centre.  Remove to rack to cool.  While it's cooling, melt the bar of Dark Chocolate with Ginger and then drizzle it over the top of the somewhat cooled loaf.  Don't try to get fancy and pipe it on like I did at first, all the bits of delicious ginger plugged up the tip... Just lay it on.

Once the chocolate sets, you are okay to wrap, if there is any left.  

I've heard that Santa is a loyal reader, so just an FYI that I would like some Green & Black's Organic bars in my stocking this year please, any variety will do.

To find out more about Green & Black’s Organic products and values, visit www.greenandblacks.com/ca and follow Green & Black’s Canada on Facebook.

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I received complimentary product to prepare this recipe (and snack on), but all opinions are mine.