Writing Process Blog Tour, Part II: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread from Nancy Creative

About a week ago, I did a Writing Process Blog Tour with a few of my blogging friends, including Nancy from Nancy Creative.

I decided at that time that I wanted to share something from each of them. Last week, I shared Dimples Cheese, Cauliflower, and Broccoli Patties… and this week, I’d like to share Nancy’s Chocolate Chip Banana Bread.

It was about three or four weeks ago, when I was flipping through Pinterest on my phone, trying to find a recipe for chocolate chip banana bread. There was one that looked especially good to me, and when I clicked on it; guess whose recipe it was? Yep! The link brought me to Nancy’s blog!

I’ve gone bananas over Nancy’s banana breads….and I can tell you that I now have a favorite chocolate chip banana bread recipe because of her! I always know when a recipe is going to be a winner, because I find that my kids hang out with me a little longer in the kitchen than they usually would. So, I’m not kidding when I say that my kids were hovering when I was photographing it, and it lasted a matter of five minutes after I was finished taking photos! There was no doubt in my mind that I had to share this winning recipe with all of you…

It’s so easy to throw together…and…

It’s moist.
It’s chocolatey.
It’s deliciously banana!

Honestly, you need to stop by Nancy’s blog to see just how many banana bread recipes this girl has. You name it, it’s there…

Double Dark Chocolate.
Whole Wheat Honey.
Pomegranate Walnut.
Disney.
…And that’s just to name a few…. the list goes on and on!!

Nancy is such a joy… she is pure sunshine. Just one visit to her blog will have you returning time and time again. You’ll never know what each day brings, because this girl does it all….it could be a beautiful photo with flowers with a scripture quote, or it could be a delicious recipe, or an uplifting saying. No matter what it is, I can guarantee that you will walk away smiling…

Life is good…it’s an“it’s about the people we meet along life’s path, who truly make an impact on how we view each day…”..kind of good…

The recipe, copied from Nancy’s blog: Nancy Creative:

CHOCOLATE CHIP BANANA BREAD by NancyCreative, adapted from Lovin’ from the Oven

Makes one 8×4″ or 9×5″ loaf
◾1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
◾1 cup granulated sugar
◾2 eggs

◾1 Tablespoon milk or half and half
◾3 very ripe medium-size bananas, mashed
◾1 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
◾1/4 teaspoon salt
◾1/2 teaspoon baking powder
◾1 teaspoon baking soda
◾1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour an 8×4″ or 9×5″ loaf pan (I’ve tried it in both size pans, and an 8×4″ loaf pan makes a nicer-looking, fuller loaf but you need to add about 10 more minutes to your baking time).

In large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, beating well, then stir in the milk and mashed bananas. In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Blend the flour mixture into the banana mixture and stir just enough to evenly combine. Fold in chocolate chips.

Bake at 350 degrees for 65-70 minutes for an 8×4″ loaf or 55-60 minutes for a 9×5″ loaf, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool loaf in pan for 20 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely. When completely cooled, you can top with a glaze if you like…

CREAMY GLAZE (optional)
◾1 cup powdered sugar
◾1 1/2 Tablespoons half and half
◾1/4 to 1/3 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

In small bowl, blend powdered sugar and half and half until smooth and creamy. Spoon over the loaf, then sprinkle the mini semi-sweet chips on top. Let glaze set before serving.

The bread is so moist, dense, and chocolatey that it tastes wonderful even without the glaze, if you prefer it that way!