One-Bowl Lemon Lime Chia Loaf

Lately, I have been reviewing my old recipes from when I did my undergrad in nutrition.  In the last decade, my eating patterns/preferences have changed, so I figured it was time to go through and do a remake of some of my old standbys. This original loaf is a lemon loaf made with eggs, butter, and a sugary glaze.  I have remade it to use chia, vegan butter or coconut oil, and have omitted the glaze.  I’m not as in to sugary treats as I was 15 years ago!  Now why the lime?  Well, I didn’t have enough lemons!  You can make it entirely lemon if you want, or do a 50/50 mix of the two.This recipe is still a treat, so don’t go eating the whole loaf. But, it is a bit healthier than the original.  It is a dense, but moist loaf.  The chia seeds almost remind me of poppy seeds with the appearance and slight crunch. If you decide to make it with coconut oil, it will be just a tad more dense, but it will still taste amazing!  The top picture is using coconut oil and the bottom picture is with vegan butter.MAKES 1 LOAF

INGREDIENTS
– 2 tablespoons chia seeds
– 4 tablespoons water
– 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut yogurt (I used Silk vanilla)
– 1/2 cup vegan butter or coconut oil
– 3/4 cup organic cane sugar
– 3 tablespoon citrus juice (lemon or lime)
– 1 tablespoon citrus rind, grated and packed
– 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
– 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (or lemon or coconut extract)
– pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS
1. In a medium sized bowl, make your chia egg with 2 tablespoons chia and 4 tablespoons water.  2. Preheat oven to 350F. 3. Add in the butter/coconut oil and the sugar to the mixing bowl.  Mix until fully combined.4. Add in the peel and citrus juice, along with the yogurt.  Mix until combined.5. Fold in the dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt). Do not over mix.6. Pour your batter into a small 8 x 4″ loaf pan, lined with parchment paper.  Bake for 50 minutes.  The top will only be slightly coloured and a toothpick should come out clean.7. Let sit in pan for 10 minutes and then remove to a cooling rack. Let cool completely.