This moist loaf bread infused with the unique flavor of Thai tea is not only delicious, it's also quick and easy to make. It's a perfect loaf bread to serve for breakfast, an afternoon tea, or even dessert with a dollop of whipped cream on top.
If you love Thai iced tea, you will love this Thai tea bread! It is made with milk that's been steeped with real Thai tea leaves to ensure it is bursting with the rich, unique flavor of this classic Thai drink. It's moist, sweet but not overly sweet, and just the right texture -- not too dense and not too light.
Fortunately, this Thai tea bread is also really easy to make. You don't even need to bring out your electric mixer. Simply steep the milk with the tea leaves, then mix your dry ingredients, add in your wet ingredients, pour into a loaf pan, and put it straight into the oven! Within an hour, you will have a delicious and unique Thai tea loaf bread that really stands out from the rest!
Thai Tea Flavor
The star of this loaf bread is the Thai tea mix. It's a combination of black tea leaves and various spices including vanilla, cloves, cardamom, and star anise. These spices bring so much flavor to the bread - it's like a spiced bread without needing to add any additional spices. The tea mix also includes yellow dye which produces a characteristic terracotta orange color when brewed in or mixed with milk.
Ingredients
- Thai Tea Mix: This is the same Thai tea mix that's used to make Thai iced tea. Instead of steeping these leaves in water like you would for Thai iced tea, you'll steep them directly in milk.
- Whole Milk: Whole milk ensures a rich, creamy flavor. Feel free to experiment with other milk percentages, evaporated milk, or non-dairy substitutes, if you like.
- All-Purpose Flour: Forms the basis of the batter.
- Baking Soda & Baking Powder: Use both since yeast is not used in this recipe.
- Sugar: Granulated white sugar helps to cut the inherent bitterness of the Thai tea leaves. One cup produces a bread that's sweet, but not overly sweet.
- Salt: Just a little to ensure the bread isn't one-dimensionally sweet.
- Egg: Helps bind everything together.
- Canola Oil: Oil is used instead of butter to make this recipe even easier, removing the "cream butter and sugar" step. It's just as moist, and I promise, you won't miss the butter!
- Plain Greek Yogurt: Yogurt helps the oil to keep the bread nice and moist.
- Vanilla: Just a touch to bring out the natural vanilla flavor in Thai tea.
Instructions
This Thai tea bread comes together quickly and easily, and can be made using only one mixing bowl.
Steep the Thai tea leaves in milk, then strain the leaves out with a tea sock.
Combine the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients to form the batter.
Pour into loaf pan and cook at 350F for 40-50 minutes. Allow to cool completely.
Slice and serve with a tall glass of milk or a dollop of whipped cream on top!
NOTE: I highly recommend using a tea sock filter whenever you're working with Thai tea mix. The tea leaves and spice particles are so small that a metal strainer will miss some, leaving you with black particulate matter at the bottom of your infused milk.
What should I serve with Thai Tea Bread?
When served for breakfast or afternoon tea, this Thai tea bread would be great with a tall glass of cold milk, or a steaming cup of strong black tea or coffee. If you'd like to serve it for dessert, I'd recommend adding a dollop of whipped cream on top for a little extra sweetness. Alternatively, a scoop of vanilla or coconut ice cream on the side would be a yummy option too!
However you serve it, this Thai tea bread is sure to be a hit. It's got all of the wonderfully unique flavors of Thai iced tea, just reimagined in loaf bread form!
Recipe
Thai Tea Bread
Equipment
Ingredients
- 4 Tablespoons Thai tea mix
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup granulated white sugar
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup canola oil
- ⅓ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Turn the oven on to 350 degrees F. Spray a 9x5 inch loaf pan with nonstick spray.
- Steep the Thai Tea: Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the Thai tea mix and stir for 2-3 minutes. Then turn the heat off and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea mix out of the milk using a tea sock filter.
- Make the Batter: Mix all of the dry ingredients together (flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, sugar). Add in the wet ingredients (egg, oil, yogurt, tea-infused milk, vanilla extract). Stir until well combined.
- Bake: Pour the batter into the greased loaf pan and place into pre-heated oven. Allow to bake for 45-55 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick stuck into the center of the bread comes out clean.
- Serve: Allow the loaf bread to cool completely before slicing. Add a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of ice cream, if you like. You can keep the bread at room temperature for up to 2 days, or up to a week in the refrigerator.
Leave a Reply