Marvelously Moist Chocolate Chip Walnut Banana Bread

Credit: Catherine Roscoe Barr

Receiving homemade banana bread as a gift is always a special treat

Need a last-minute gift idea? You won’t be steered wrong with this decadent banana bread recipe

This is my mom’s banana bread recipe and it’s probably my favourite sweet treat of all time.

It makes an awesome morning pick-me-up, mid-day snack, or night time treat, but the best thing about this banana bread is that it makes a wonderful gift. I always eagerly anticipate what people will think when they take that first, gorgeous bite.

I double the recipe every time I make it because I always give some away, and I’ll be darned if I don’t get some too! The double recipe makes two large loaves, or five medium loaves, or about a dozen small loaves, or a mixture of all three.

You can buy different sizes of loaf pans at most kitchenware stores, and in a pickle you can get the foil pans they sell at most grocery stores.

If you can force yourself not to dig in for about 24 hours it will be even better, as it will get more moist and more flavourful. 

Ingredients

Makes 1 large loaf

• 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/3 cup of oil
• 3/4 cup of brown sugar
• 4 bananas, mashed 
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup of milk
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Instructions

1. Pre-heat oven to 350F and grease loaf pan(s).
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. 
3. In a medium bowl, combine oil, brown sugar, bananas, eggs and milk.
4. Stir dry mixture into wet mixture until well combined.
5. Add chocolate chips and walnuts (reserve a small handful of chocolate chips and walnuts to sprinkle over top of batter once you’ve poured it into the pan).
6. Pour batter into pan(s).
7. Bake for about 55 minutes for large loaves, 40 minutes for medium loaves, and 25 minutes for small loaves, or until fork inserted into centre comes out clean. 
8. Cool on rack. 
9. Place in resealable bag.