A key banana bread with a healthy twist and sprinkle of chocolate chips.
For as long as I can remember, we have always had some type of banana bread ready to snack on in the kitchen. Many, many school nights I would come down the stairs and find my mother mashing up leftover bananas to make a loaf, both for the family and also simply because it is her favorite baked good in the entire universe.
I almost always go straight to my mother when trying to decide what pastry or dessert to make. But, more often than not, it proves a vain attempt as she always responds with the same request - banana bread. So, as of late, I've simply given up and just made a loaf for her as often as humanly possible.
Banana bread is a classic that nearly everyone is familiar with. This recipe adds a nice twist with an addition of zucchini, giving the traditional loaf a healthier flourish. This Banana Zucchini bread also includes dark chocolate chips and walnuts to add a touch of sweet bitterness and texture in each and every bite.
You Will Need:
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 bananas mashed
1 egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp cinammon
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 cup zucchini shredded
1 1/2 cup walnuts chopped
1 cup dark chocolate chips
Let's Do This!
Step One: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Step Two: In a large bowl, whisk together the sugar and the oil.
Step Three: Add in the mashed banana, egg, and vanilla extract. Whisk until combined completely.
Step Four: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Ensure that it is combined completely.
Step Five: Add the dry-ingredient mixture to the wet-ingredient mixture in three batches, whisking completely after each time.
Step Six: Shred the zucchini and place on a paper towel. Over a sink, squeeze the zucchini so as to get rid of excess juices (This will ensure the loaf isn't overly moist and that it will bake evenly).
Step Seven: Use a spatula to carefully fold the zucchini into the batter.
Step Eight: Pour in the walnuts and chocolate chips and fold with the spatula.
Step Nine: Pour the batter into a loaf tin and bake for 45-50 minutes.
Step Ten: Cover the tin with aluminum foil and place in the oven for another 10-15 minutes to ensure the inside of the loaf is completely baked without burning the top layer.
Step Eleven: Insert a toothpick and ensure it comes out clean. Let cool, serve, and enjoy!
