December 16: Chai-Chocolate Banana Tea Bars

Chai-Chocolate Banana Tea Bars

Ingredients:
1 cup (4.5 oz) white whole wheat or all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 tablespoons (2 oz) unsalted butter, room temperature
3/4 cup minus 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup sour cream
1 large egg
3/4 cup mashed bananas
2/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup toasted and chopped walnuts (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 and place a rack in the center. Spray a 9-inch square metal pan with flour-added baking spray or line the inside with nonstick foil.
2. Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg together in a small bowl; set aside.
3. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large mixing bowl, using a handheld electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium speed until creamy. Beat in the vanilla and sour cream. Reduce the mixer speed and beat in the egg and banana until creamy. Scrape the sides of the bowl. With the mixer on low, gradually add the flour mixture. When the flour is absorbed, mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts.
4. Spread in the prepared pan and bake for 28-30 minutes, or until the bars are browned around the edges and appear set. Let cool completely in the pan. Cut into 16 squares.

Dry Ingredients

Addition of vanilla and sour cream

Addition of egg and mashed bananas

Addition of dry ingredients

Addition of chocolate chips

Thoughts: This was a very easy recipe. My one co-worker who tried it said it was a great breakfast bar. I didn't use the optional walnuts. The flavor was like banana bread.