Double Chocolate Banana Loaf with Toasted Walnuts

    I had a few over ripe bananas that I didn't want to go to waste. What better way to use them them in a Double Chocolate Banana Loaf with Toasted Walnuts. I found this recipe a while back, while searching for a way to use my over ripe bananas that wasn't the traditional Banana Bread. Since I have a family of chocolate lovers, I figured this would work just fine. I'm glad I tried it out, because it was a hit.

Double Chocolate Banana Loaf with Toasted Walnuts:

Ingredients:
1/2 cup walnuts
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup white sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup dark or white chocolate chips
2 Lg. eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 Lg. ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
(1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F, and place the oven rack to the middle position.
(2) Prepare a non-stick loaf pan by spraying with cooking spray.
(3) Place the walnuts on a baking sheet and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly toasted. Let cool, and then coarsely chop.
(4) In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
(5) In a second mixing bowl, combine the bananas, eggs, melted butter and vanilla.
(6) With a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon, lightly fold the wet into the dry ingredients until just combined and the batter is thick and chunky. Fold in the nuts and the chocolate chips.

(7) Bake for 55-65 minutes (22-25 for muffins), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
(8) Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan.

*Recipe yields 1 loaf, or 12 muffins.

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