K is for Kahlua: Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread

"I'm going on a picnic,"and I have the letter "K".  I'm not sure how many years I've been playing the Picnic Game organized by that fabulous blogger Louise at Months of Edible Celebrations! Each letter of the alphabet is taken by a different food blogger who will post what they're bringing to the Perfect Picnic A-Z! Want to find out about the history of the picnic? Be sure and read the story at Months of Edible Celebrations. I'll be posting all the recipes from the different blogs on June 30, so you can have your own Virtual Picnic... or Real Picnic!

So this year I chose the letter "K" because I love Kahlua! This Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread is great to take on a picnic because it travels well, but a heads-up. Because this recipe includes a hefty amount of Kahlua, you might want to reserve it for adults!

So while I decided to bring something with Kahlua on the 'picnic', I remembered that I should have made some homemade Kahlua.. too late to have it ready for the picnic this year, but if you start now,  you'll have some for your next picnic..to drink or use in baked goods or other drinks and sweets!

Homemade Kahlua

Ingredients
4 cups water
4 cups sugar
2 ounces instant coffee
1 vanilla bean
Fifth of vodka or bourbon

Directions
Bring 4 cups water to a boil. Add the 4 cups sugar and cook until dissolved. Add the instant coffee. Simmer slowly - do not boil!
Add vanilla bean and 1/5 vodka or bourbon.
Bottle and cap. Leave for a month or more!

Kahlua Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Bread
This recipe makes one loaf, but it can easily be doubled. You can also substitute oil for the butter.  I love quick breads. They're fast and easy, and you only use one bowl! And, they're great to take on a picnic. Because this Zucchini Bread with Chocolate Chunks has Kahlua in it, you might want to take it on an 'adult' picnic only.

Ingredients
2 cups flour (all-purpose, but you can use 1 cup whole wheat and 1 cup all purpose)
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup (8 Tbsp) sweet butter, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup Kahlua
1 cup shredded zucchini
3 ounces good quality dark chocolate, chopped into smallish chunks

Directions
In medium bowl, sift flour with soda and salt. Set aside.
In large bowl of electric mixer, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, then Kahlua. (Don't worry if it seems curdled). Add dry ingredients and mix on low speed until blended. Stir in zucchini and chocolate chunks to distribute evenly.
Pour into greased and floured 8-1/2 × 4 inch loaf pan.
Bake at 350 degrees F, about 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until wood pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Cool in pan 10 minutes.
Turn out onto wire rack and cool completely.

Have fun at the Virtual Picnic! Here are the Letters A-J. Be sure and come back on June 30 for the entire alphabet!

A is for Angel Cake

B is for Basil Leaves in Caramelized Prawns

C is for Chicken Piccata

D to come

E is for Eccles Cakes filles with Leeks, Spinach and Blue Cheese

F is for Fourth of July Picnic S'more Tartlets

G to come

H is for Ham Cheesy Patties

I to come

J to come