Chocolate Banana Swirl Bread

You might as well be eating a chocolate bar, this bread is so tasty and moist. Baking times vary; so watch the bread as it may take longer than specified here.

Servings: 1 loaf
Prep and cook time: 10 minutes, Bake Time 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups mashed ripe bananas (about 3 bananas)
1 egg
1/3 cup sour cream
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Method:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spoon the flour into dry measuring cups and level with a knife. Combine the flour, baking soda, and salt, stirring with a whisk.

Place the sugar and butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until well blended (about 1 minute). Add the banana, egg, and sour cream; beat until blended. Add the flour mixture; beat at low speed until moist.

Place the chocolate chips in a medium microwave safe bowl, and microwave on high for 1 minute or until almost melted, stir until smooth. Cool slightly. Add 1 cup of the batter to the chocolate, stirring until well combined. Spoon chocolate batter alternately with plain batter into an 8-1/2 x 4-1/2 inch loaf pan with with non-stick coating. Swirl batters together using a knife.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in pan on a wire rack; remove from the pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Gail Greco is the food editor of Carefree Cooking; a field editor for Romantic Homes magazine; and a contributor to many other publications.  She has authored more than 15 books on cooking, decorating, and home lifestyle.

Next Recipe Steak Esterhazy >