What’s Cooking in Gail’s Kitchen? Splurge-Worthy Goodness: Underground Chile Chocolate Bread! Don’t you hate it when you’re in the mood to bake something delicious and then find yourself short one key ingredient? That happens to me whenever I find “buttermilk” listed on a recipe. Truth-be-told, I seldom buy it. Thankfully there are two ways to transform ordinary milk into buttermilk. You can use white vinegar, or you can use lemon juice. It’s the acidity that works like magic. Now you’re probably wondering why we want buttermilk in the first place. Well, other than the rich creamy taste, buttermilk helps breads to rise with more body and a softer texture. Is it any wonder pancakes, mashed potatoes, and even fried chicken taste better bathed in buttermilk. Keep that under your hat.
UNDERGROUND CHILE CHOCOLATE BREAD
Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk, mixed with 2 teaspoons vinegar
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 2/3 cups flour
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 2/3 cups sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 350°. Line a loaf pan with parchment paper. Set aside. Pour vinegar into a measuring cup, then fill with milk until you reach the 3/4 mark. Let sit for five minutes to thicken, then whisk. This is a substitute for buttermilk. In a large bowl, combine chili powder, flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, vegetable oil, sugar, eggs, and “buttermilk”. Mix until just evenly combined. Do not over stir. Pour batter into the prepared loaf pan. Bake for one hour, or until a cake tester inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool bread on a wire rack before removing from loaf pan. Slice and serve.
snapshotsincursive 
Mmmm Sounds like an interesting combination.
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I slathered it with cream cheese. Sooo good. 😋
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There’s that buttermilk again! Did we mention it recently? 😂 It’s good to know that it is still usable and hasn’t been assigned to the bin or worse still an ‘old wives tale’. Well done 🎯🥇🏆
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People can “kick it to the curb” all they want. Its fluffy, light results speak for themselves. 😍
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Buttermilk really does make everything buttah . . I mean bettah.
Both.
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You and I are on the same page. I love using buttermilk in waffles and pancakes. Oh, yeah. 😍🍃
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Chili and chocolate? That’s such a cool combination!
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Sometimes I go crazy and add ground cinnamon. 🍂
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Buttermilk adds such a lovely tang! I always feel like a mad scientist, or my mother, when I make buttermilk!
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I can almost hear you “cackle” with glee!!! 🤣
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🤣
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The bread looks amazing. Chocolate and chili powder is such a perfect combination. 🙂
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Thank you. I am nodding my head in approval. 😋🍃
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🙂
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I use a lot of buttermilk. This recipe looks perfect for it. What level of heat is your chilli powder?
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I have no clue. I buy it from the Amish. 🍃🌶
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I tasted a chilly chocolate a while back.. It certainly is an interesting combination!!
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Some hot cocoa has chili and cinnamon mixed with the chocolate. Yum! 😋
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and cinnamon.. I must try that.. 😉
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Oh my goodness! That looks yummy! But I’d be afraid to taste it, because of the chile!
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Seriously, it’s not that hot. 😜
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🙂
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Sounds positively craveable! And I agree, buttermilk is the secret to many good bakes😉
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Not everyone gets it. 😜
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