Friday, November 21, 2008

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

quickbreadbananachocolatechip

There was finally some serious ripening of bananas.. about time! My family should really stop eating bananas so I can bake more banana bread.. haha. Initially, I was going to bake peanut butter banana bread, but after the whole peanut butter pumpkin bread situation that didn't go so well, I decided to make some good old fashioned banana bread with chocolate chips. I ended up bringing some to school, since I didn't exactly need another excuse to eat chocolate. It turns out that banana bread is not as popular as I thought or maybe I just picked a bunch of banana bread haters. Who says 'no thank you' to banana bread?!?!

quickbreadbananachocolatechip (2)

I used my usual banana bread recipe from Cook's illustrated. Since I'm into the whole fluffy baking thing, I creamed the butter and sugar instead of melting it. This was the first time I made this particular recipe this way and it did produce a softer crumb...YAY! On the other hand, there were a lot more dishes to be done (well, actually just the paddle and the mixing bowl..haha)

Banana Bread
Cook's Illustrated, The New Best Recipe

2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting the pan
1 1/4 cups walnuts, chopped coarse
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 very ripe, soft, darkly speckled large bananas, mashed well (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/4 cup plain yogurt
2 large eggs, beaten lightly
3/4 stick unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Adjust an oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) degrees. Grease the bottom and sides of a 9 by 5-inch loaf pan; dust with flour, tapping out the excess.

2. Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast until fragrant, 5 to 10 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3. Whisk the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt, and walnuts together in a large bowl; set aside.

4. Mix the mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, and vanilla with a wooden spoon in a medium bowl. Lightly fold the banana mixture into the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula until just combined and the batter looks thick and chunky. Scrape the batter into the prepared loaf pan.

5. Bake until the loaf is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 minutes. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. Serve warm or at room temperature. (The bread can be wrapped with plastic wrap and stored at room temperature for up to 3 days.)

22 comments:

  1. This is one of my very favorite things. It also just so happens I have some VERY ripe bananas in my kitchen!

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  2. those silly people....seriously good looking bread Great photo!! I would have had some for sure. Oh well. Do you slather on the cream cheese? he he Just more calories but so good. My bananas disappear as well. Great job
    AmyRuth

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  3. What? People who don't like banana bread? I think those people need some serious help! :) Yummy!

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  4. I would have scarfed it down. Banana bread is delicious! Those people must not have been feeling well to have turned it down.

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  5. Who turns down banana bread? A bunch of losers, that's who!! haha If they were really against banana, just say it was chocolate chip bread. You aren't lying. You just forgot an important detail ;)

    There's definitely more snow on the ground today, and they are calling for 4-8 inches tonight, depending on which area of PA. I wouldn't mind it so much if I didn't have to walk in it several times a day. Plus I get scared since a few years ago, I slipped on ice and badly hurt my tailbone. And last year, I remember it being so icy, I couldn't get up the one small hill back to my apartment.

    Ok I definitely don't eat my oatmeal dry, so you are weird in that department haha! I don't drink the leftover milk when I do have it because one - unless it's chocolate or strawberry, I hate drinking milk straight in general and two - I have a cat who stares at me. It depends on what kind of cereal I had because if it's something sugary or those mini wheats, he doesn't the sugar/wheat in his milk. He also plays with dry Cheerios like a little soccer ball.

    And for the pie, I guess it would be too much to scale it down to a mini pie? Or maybe you could make the filling and pecan topping and put it in a ramekin or something? Maybe with a graham cracker crust? I knew that about your Thanksgiving, but I forgot. And I forget where you said you were from - Ontario??

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  6. I love it when my bananas go brown...time for baking. Yahoo! The bread looks awesome!

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  7. Who would say no to this? I wish that I had been at your school that day!

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  8. yummy i love banana bread and this looks so good.

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  9. High five for the BB good buddy! Sometimes the old faithful with CC is the way the go :) I have no idea what kind of friends you have that would turn that down... If someone doesn't like banana bread, they are not coming near my kids, if I had any :)

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  10. Wow! That first picture is very enticing. I can't believe that there was a shortage of banana bread fans! What's up with that?? It looks fabulous and I LOVE chocolate in BB!

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  11. This looks great! I've been wanting to try this recipe for banana bread for a while now.

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  12. I love to make quick breads (and made this combination once, but not for a while) - I'll use your recipe next time!

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  13. That is seriously strange! I don't think I know anyone that doesn't like banana bread. You can bring some over here, it sounds and looks so tasty. I think I an going to have some bananas that are turning black soon!

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  14. I wouldn't say no to your banana bread! It looks absolutely yummy!

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  15. Steph, I'm back to say I left something for you on my blog...thanks for all your visits!

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  16. dear steph
    well made bread with chocolate chips.It must have been very tasty, i can tell from your recipe and your method.

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  17. Wow, that first picture is just too much! I need a bite NOW.

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  18. Honestly, I didn't think there was anyone around who doesn't eat banana bread, especially as scrumptious as this looks.

    I came by to leave you a blog award. Luckily (or not?) it's a different award from the one Audrey's given you. Stop by my blog to claim it.
    Nancy

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  19. ooh your banana bread looks amazing!
    sometimes, i pray that no one will notice/eat the ripening bananas on the table. because then that gives me the excuse to make banana bread!

    i once made it with applesauce (no oil) and whole wheat - it would've been better had i added in some nuts.

    in response to your post on my blog - good thing there's no more overmixing this banana bread!

    can't wait to read more from you :)

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  20. I can't believe anyone would turn down banana bread, what is wrong with them. I'll take their piece! I love banana bread all on its own. The chocolate chips here are an added bonus, yummy!

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