My mother is famous for her banana bread. She makes it just the way my nephews like it, which means no nuts. I like nuts but I do not trump a grandchild. Richard adores bananas in anything and he’s coming over for dinner, so I’m making my mom’s banana bread and taking it over the top with nuts, chocolate chips, and a little orange zest. Trust me when I say I’m seriously making this up as I go, but how can you go wrong with those ingredients?
When I went to school in Memphis I worked at a swanky restaurant in Overton Square one summer. The bartender considered himself an artist in the field of mixology, and was forever begging us to try weird drinks he concocted. They ranged from deadly to delicious and you never knew what you were going to get. He gave them all names and could remember (he said) the ingredients so he never wrote them down. One of the strangest was a combo of Grand Marnier and Crème de Cocoa. There may have been something else in it, but I can’t imagine what it would be. Truth be told, I did not ever want to drink it again (deadly) but the chocolate and orange taste was kind of fun and I’m always on the lookout for non-alcoholic manners of combining them.
The bread is out of the oven and it smells great. I’m thinking a little dusting of confectioners sugar would be pretty if I can keep my guys away long enough. No way will I be able to save this for dessert so we might as well enjoy it now. The votes are in, and it’s just wonderful. Do make this, nuts and all. You’ll love it.
Chocolate Chip Banana Nut Bread
Ingredients
1 stick butter
1 c sugar
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3 ripe bananas
1 Tbsp orange zest
juice of ½ orange (about ¼ c)
2 c flour
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
¼ c mini chocolate chips
½ c walnuts
¼ c confectioners sugar
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Spray a loaf pan with cooking spray.
In a mixing bowl combine butter and sugar until well blended, about 5 minutes.
Add eggs, vanilla, orange zest, juice, and bananas and mix to combine. In a separate bowl, stir flour, baking soda and salt together. Add dry mixture to mixing bowl and mix to combine. Stir in chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into prepared loaf pan and bake for an hour. Cover the top with foil if it starts to get too brown. Cool remove from pan and dust with confectioners sugar if your family will give you a chance!
