Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Bread is a delightful treat that combines the sweetness of bananas with the crunchiness of nuts and the richness of chocolate chips. Here’s a recipe and process to make this delicious bread:
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 2-3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 to 1 1/2 cups)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or milk chocolate)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper.
- Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and brown sugar until it becomes light and fluffy. This can be done using a hand mixer or a stand mixer.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Add the beaten eggs to the butter-sugar mixture, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the mashed bananas and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients (flour mixture) to the wet ingredients (banana mixture), mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; this can make the bread dense.
- Add Nuts and Chocolate Chips: Gently fold in the chopped nuts and chocolate chips into the batter. Reserve a few nuts and chocolate chips to sprinkle on top if desired.
- Pour into Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly. If you reserved some nuts and chocolate chips, sprinkle them on top of the batter.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. The baking time can vary depending on your oven, so keep an eye on it after 50 minutes.
- Cool and Serve: Once baked, remove the banana nut chocolate chip bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. After that, transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Serve and enjoy!
Tips:
- Make sure to use ripe bananas for the best flavor. Overripe bananas that have started to develop brown spots are ideal.
- You can customize this recipe by adding other mix-ins like shredded coconut, dried fruits, or even a sprinkle of cinnamon for added flavor.
- Store any leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. You can also freeze it for longer storage.
I hope you enjoy making and savoring this delicious Banana Nut Chocolate Chip Bread!
