Double Chocolate Banana Bread

Yes this is decadent, but I like it better than “regular” banana bread. I think you will too!

• 1 1⁄4 c flour

• 1⁄2 cocoa powder

• 2 t baking powder

• 1⁄4 t kosher salt

• 3 medium ripe bananas, mashed

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1⁄4 c unsalted butter, melted

• 1⁄4 c avocado oil (or canola)

• 3⁄4 sugar

• 1 1⁄2 t vanilla

• 1 c semisweet chocolate chips, divided

• 1⁄2 c chopped walnuts

• Sparkling sugar (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter or spray a 9x5” loaf pan and set aside.

Combine the dry ingredients and whisk them together to combine. If your cocoa powder is lumpy, sift.

In a medium bowl, add the bananas, egg, butter, oil and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add in the sugar and whisk until smooth.

Add the dry ingredients to the wet, folding until just mixed. Add 3⁄4 cup of the chocolate chips and the walnuts. Pour the batter into the pan and sprinkle the remaining 1⁄4 cup chips on top, and sprinkle with sparkling sugar if desired.

Bake for about 1 hour, checking after 55 minutes by inserting a toothpick or cake tester, which should come out mostly clean when done. Add 5 minutes at a time, if it needs to bake more, checking after each 5 minute interval.

Remove from the oven and let cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Run a knife around the edges of the pan and invert onto a plate, then invert onto a cooling rack. Slice and serve.