Saturday, March 9, 2013

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips


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I have to admit, I don’t often make banana bread.  Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I don’t like it.  But the last time I made one, I was the one who consumed almost the whole loaf!  Ahem….it’s not that I didn't want to share; I believe food tastes better when shared with loved ones.  But seems like the rest of my family doesn't care about banana bread, and one doesn't even want to come close to it.  Is that even possible?

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On the other hand, my kids love bananas, I often buy them in bulk because I don’t want to run low on my fresh banana inventory.  My kids seem to want one whenever we just ran out.  So, I tried to keep them around the house these days.  If they are ripen sooner than we can consume, I turn them into these Breakfast cookies or freeze them up to make smoothies at a later time.

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Today was another day I needed to use up some over-ripen bananas, again!  Then, I realized my freezer still has quite a bit of frozen bananas and I also got these cookies around the house.  So, I thought of making banana bread, again!  However, I certainly didn't want to end up consuming the whole loaf all by myself, again!  Did I say again?  Then, an idea came to mind, which was adding more ingredients and flavors that my family loves, into this banana bread!  Bingo!  Why didn't I think of that last time? 

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So, in this Banana Bread, I added some semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Who doesn't like chocolate chips, right?  And orange zest; what a winning combination?!  As I was reaching over to get butter and eggs from the fridge, I realized I have a bit of vanilla yogurt that I need to use up as well, so they all joined the pool!  The end result was amazing!  The Banana Bread was soft and moist in the middle because of the banana and yogurt.  The top and edges are golden brown and slightly crunchy.  The sliced almond on top added a little bit more crunch and nuttiness.  You can taste the aromatic banana, the refreshing orange zest, and a bit of decadent and sweetness from the chocolate chips all in one bite. 

Here’s how I make it:

1) This is how the banana looks, sometimes the bananas I used got even more brown spots than these!

2) In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with a fork, set aside.

3)In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.  (this particular batch, I used brown sugar. more on that in just a minute)

4)Then stir in the chocolate chips, set aside.

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5) In another medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, yogurt, vanilla and orange zest until well combined.

6) Then, whisk in the mashed bananas.

7) With a spatula, fold the flour mixture into the banana mixture until just combined.

8) Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan. Sprinkle the sliced almonds on top (opps, forgot to take a picture after adding the almonds) and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center and comes out clean. Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then turn out onto the rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

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Super simple and easy to make, isn't it?  In the #3 pictorial above, you see that I used brown sugar this time. I was testing out different ingredients and you can use either brown or white sugar. The one with brown sugar yields a more chewy texture bread while the white sugar version will give you a more fluffy texture.  I personally preferred the later one, but it’s all up to you. Also, if you like the chocolate chips to be more evenly distributed throughout the cake/bread, use mini chips instead of the regular chocolate chips.

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The verdict?  My family loves it.  Not only this bread is simple to make and take so little time to prepare, the most important point is that even my most challenging food critic in the house (also a non-banana bread eater) loves this loaf!  So, I declare this recipe is definitely a keeper!  I hope you’ll give this recipe a try too.  I know you’re going to love it.  Is there any food that you love but seldom make it at home because the rest of your family doesn't like it?  I would love to hear from you.  Thank you for reading and have fun baking!

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Banana Bread with Chocolate Chips: (Printable Recipe)
Makes: one 9 by 5 loaf

3 over-ripen bananas, about 1 1/4 cups after mashed
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs, room temperature
4 oz (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted and cooled, plus more for the pan
1/2 cup vanilla yogurt, room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
zest of 1 orange
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Generously butter a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan.

In a medium bowl, mash the bananas with a fork, set aside.  In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, and baking soda.  Then stir in the chocolate chips, set aside.

In another medium mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, melted butter, yogurt, vanilla and orange zest until well combined.  Then, whisk in the mashed bananas. With a spatula, fold the banana mixture into the flour mixture until just combined.

Spread the batter into the prepared loaf pan.  Sprinkle the sliced almonds on top and bake for 55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center and comes out clean.  Let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 30 minutes, then turn out onto the rack to cool completely. Enjoy!

120 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. Thank you, Isa. It was very yummy, in deed. :)

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  2. Banana bread with chocolate chips is probably my favorite type of sweetbread! Yours looks so delicious. Thanks so much for posting. I'll have to try it. Nice touch with the almonds on top :)

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you like my recipe. Yes, please let me know how it turns out if you try it. :)

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  3. Years ago I remember adding chocolate chips and maraschino cherries to banana bread and I believe it was then called Bishop's bread. Delicious.

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    1. Oh...Chocolate chips and maraschino cherries sounds delicious in banana bread. Hm....is that why they give it a special name?

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  4. I LOVE banana bread with chocolate chips! The first time I suggested it to my husband, he thought I was crazy - until he took his first bite!

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    1. LOL....I know. I didn't even make the suggestion and just made the bread in the kitchen. So glad it turned out delicious so I don't have to eat the whole loaf all by myself. :P But it's so delicious I won't have a problem if I have to. hehe...

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  5. This banana bread is packed with flavours, how lucky your kids to have a treat liked this!

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    1. Thank you, Veronica. :) I'm so glad my family love this banana bread so I don't have to eat the whole loaf by myself like before. ;)

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  6. I looooove bananas...and to add chocolate, even better!

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    1. Thanks, Belinda. Glad you also like banana...and chocolate. :D

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  7. Amy, I haven't tried baking banana bread but I have baked banana cake. And with chocolate, my God, it is really delicious. I like it that you topped with sliced almonds. It goes so well especially with chocolate.

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    1. Thank you, Phong. This banana bread is more like loaf cake texture and taste. :) Glad you like the almond slices on top. I really enjoy that crunch.

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  8. Oh I love your blog so much!! So many nice recipes la!!

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    1. Thank you so much, Hayley. I'm glad to hear you enjoy my blog and recipe. :) Take care and hope to see you back often.

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  9. Hi Amy,

    hahaha...I guess we have the same problem, Amy. I really love banana bread but I am afraid to make this, simply reason is I have to consume the whole loaf!

    Thank you for sharing this recipe and thank you for droppping by to my humble nest...:)

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    1. Thank you, Queenie. :) I'm glad I made a loaf that my family is happy to share. hehehe....

      Happy Friday and a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  10. Amy...this is one gorgeous loaf of bread! I have been looking for a banana chocolate chip muffin recipe, but haven't quite nailed it yet. I think your beautiful pictures have seeped forever in my mind and I think this bread will replace my need for that perfect muffin. What a great use of some things you wanted to use up from your fridge. And your food styling is so lovely. That pop of orange is perfect in this picture! : )

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    1. Thank you, Anne. Glad you enjoy my recipe and pictures. Happy Friday and wish you a beautiful weekend.

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  11. My boys won't eat banana bread or banana muffins if I don't put chocolate chips in it. I love it, too.

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    1. hehe...I know. I'm glad the chocolate chips saves the day. :P

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  12. My old roommate always used to make banana bread with chocolate chips when he was bored. Even though he was messy, I do miss those days! Yours looks delicious :)

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    1. It's nice how certain type of food and recipes bring back some good old memories. :) Thanks for stopping by. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

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  13. I just made banana walnut bread recently but without the chocolate chips. Next time I might try to add chocolate chips.

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    1. :) Yeah, give that a try. The chocolate chips are so good in here. Take care and have a great weekend.

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  14. looks absolutely amazing... banana, choco chips and almond, wow!!!

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    1. Thank you, Rafeeda. It is amazing. A great recipe to keep for sure. :) Happy Friday and have a good weekend.

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  15. Delicious looking bread!! There is never a wrong way to eat banana bread! I want some with tea!

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    1. Thank you. Oh yeah, the banana bread is perfect with tea or coffee. :)

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  16. Replies
    1. Yes, in deed. The banana bread itself if tempting, with chocolate chips and orange zest, I can't even resist! Happy Friday and have a good weekend.

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  17. I love Banana bread and use to make it often. I had to stop though because while working at home I found myself eating it up. I even made it fat free but still high in carbs. Yours looks delicious. I have several dark bananas, I should make your version in the morning.

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    1. Thank you. I know, it's hard to resist a good banana bread. :) If you try the recipe, let me know how you like it. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

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  18. This is so tempting. I love banana bread....plus chocolate chips....heaven. This is another lovely post.

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    1. Thank you. Glad you like my creation. :)

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  19. I can't imagine the verdict being anything less than positive! As a kid, even when I went through a phase of claiming to hate bananas, I adored chocolate chip banana bread. I just couldn't figure out why there was "banana" in the title of something so delicious... ;) Yours looks so perfectly packed full of chocolate chips, I know I would have just adored it then, as I still would now!

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    1. Thank you. Yes, I used mini chocolate chips so they are more evenly distributed throughout the cake (and seems to have a lot more) than using regular size chips. :P Yes, I always can't resist a good old banana bread. Happy Friday and have a great weekend.

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  20. Hi Amy! I like the addition of orange zest to this recipe and could "smell" how different and yummy this version is from the others!

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    1. Thank you, Chef. Glad you like my creation. The aroma was simply amazing. :) Wish you and your family a wonderful weekend ahead.

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  21. Simple Delicious!

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    1. Thank you. :) Wish you a beautiful weekend ahead.

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  22. We like bananas so much they rarely get to the overripe stage. That's OK, though - when we want them that way, a quick whirl in the microwave gives us the proper effect. Love this recipe! There can never be enough banana breads. Never had it with chocolate chips, though - great idea! Thanks for this.

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    1. Oh...what a great trick. I didn't know I can ripen bananas in microwave. I think I might do an experiment just for fun! hehehe...Thanks for sharing the tip and have a great weekend.

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  23. Chocolate makes everything better :) Love banana bread but don't make it as often as I used to when I had kids at home.

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    1. I agree, chocolate makes everything better, including desserts and my moods. :P Have a great weekend, my friend.

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  24. Wow....wonderful banana bread chocolate chips looks so so wonderful....:-)

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  25. CHocolate chips can only make a good recipe even more indulgent :D
    Yum!

    Cheers
    CCU

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    1. Thank you. Yes, gotta love those chocolate chips in there. :P Have a great weekend!

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  26. wow..I love bananas..bread looks so yummy and tempting..I have to try it ...

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you like it. Let me know how it turns out if you try it.

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  27. Love banana bread with chocolate chips. And I always eat it up myself, too. When the kids were home used to give it to them to take on the way out the door, but alas they are here no more.When I do freeze them they are great to make smoothies with. Very pretty loaf you made, my dear!

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    1. Thank you so much. I'm glad you like it. I agree, it's better to make the loaf when the kids are around to share. :) Hope you're having a wonderful weekend so far.

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  28. I love to eat banana loaf cake so I think I will love to eat your banana bread too even without the chocolate chips. I prefer chewy texture so brown sugar it is for me. As I do not bake, I will get my sister to make this for me. Thanks for the recipe!

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    1. You're very welcome. Yes, I love plain banana bread/cake too. I added the chocolate chips so my hubby and kids would eat it too! hahaha....What a great idea to have your sister make this for you! That's even better.

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  29. Mmm, it's been a while since I threw some chocolate chips into banana bread. Thanks for the reminder of how good it is! :)

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    1. Oh...yes, it's so good to have chocolate chips in the banana bread. ;) Hope you're having a good weekend so far.

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  30. A, yes. The curse of the banana bread. I eat it all too! I love how many chocolate chips there are in this!

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    1. LOL...good to know I'm not the only one who do that. I'm just glad my kids are here to share now when I add chocolate chips in this bread. ;)

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  31. This looks LOVELY! I have friends coming over tomorrow and have been hoarding banana cake/bread recipes. Now I have no idea which one to make. Gah!

    ~Jayne

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    1. LOL...I say, simple prepare something that your heart desire. I just add whatever ingredients my family loves and turns out wonderful. ;)

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  32. That looks super moist! Chocolate and banana...one of my absolutely favourite combo.

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    1. Yes, the bread was super moist and delicious. It's time to bake another loaf for my kids. :P

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  33. u tick all the right boxes that make me salivate now- bananas, almonds, yogurt, orange and choc chips! I bet it is heavenly. I tried to stay away from cake baking as just like u I end up eating them all by myself, but this recipe is really too good to be missed.

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment. :) Glad you like the ingredients I added to this recipe. ;) I know, cakes (and calories) are always better to be shared. LOL

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  34. I love your Blog, have thrown an eye and remain somewhere here to control you a little.
    Thanks for the visit.

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    1. Glad you like my blog. Thank you for stopping by and hope to see you again soon.

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  35. I love banana bread and I bet the chocolate makes it even nicer!

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    1. Oh yes, the chocolate made it really good. :) Glad you love banana bread too.

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  36. Amy, I think it's the most beautiful banana bread I have ever seen! I love the idea to add chocolate chips too.

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    1. Thank you, Sissi. Glad you like my idea of adding chocolate chips in the banana bread. :)

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  37. You had me at banana bread - then the chocolate chips was a bonus ;)

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    1. Thank you, Sandi. Glad you like them both cos I certainly do.

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  38. Awesome banana bread!!! rich and delicious, i will definitely try it out next time :)

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    1. Thank you, Esther. Glad you like the recipe. Let me know how it goes if you tried.

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  39. Been doing the banana thing here the last couple of weeks. Can't wait to try this one out!

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    1. Thank you. I'm glad you like banana break too and how you'll like my version. ;)

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  40. This is so good! I know because this is my husband's fave!

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    1. :) Yeah, now my whole family catches up with loving banana bread. I'm just happy I don't have to eat the whole loaf all by myself! hahaha

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  41. Looks perfect! I love adding choco chips to my banana bread, makes it so much yummier.

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    1. Amen! ;) I really love the chocolate chip in there.

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  42. Looks so delicious. I love Banana bread. I like that you added almonds on top. I am following now on GFC. Thank you for your comment on my blog. Pamela http://thestyleandtravel-journals.blogspot.com

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    1. Thank you for you comment and following, Pamela. Truly appreciate it. I'm following you on GFC as well. ;)

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  43. Hi Amy. I love banana bread...and like you, I often end up eating the entire loaf. This looks just delicious with the addition of the chocolate chips! Thank you so much for sharing!

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    1. You're most welcome, Monet. Thank you for stopping by and I'm glad you like my chocolate chips addition to the banana bread. ;)

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  44. Hi Amy :) its my first time visiting but think you're blog is great and offers lots of wonderful recipes ~ I know what you mean about making banana bread I always eat 2 slices...oops maybe sometimes 3! I love how you've added chocolate chips, I've done that before too DELISH!

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment. I know...so hard to resist the banana bread..and even harder now with the chocolate chips! hahaha...help! :P

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  45. Hi Amy...I can understand how you feel about having to eat the cake alone, my boys refuse to eat mine too...maybe I should add chocolate chips next time and see if they will like it although they do eat some of the fluffy version that I made recently (just to oblige I guess:P)

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    1. LOL...yes, my family love light and fluffy cakes way better. But I'm just glad that they now love this chocolate chip added version as well. :P

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  46. I just made some banana bread with new ingredients too. I ate most of it mainly because I hoarded it. But I DID give some to my neighbors. :) http://lifestooshorttoskipdessert.blogspot.com/2013/03/whole-wheat-banana-bread-with-cacao-nibs.html

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    1. Nice...I love your whole wheat banana bread version too. Will give that a try next time I make banana bread. ;) Thanks!

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  47. your bread is PACKED with chocolate chips, and that's a very good thing. :)

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    1. Thank! I think the mini chocolate chips make it looks like there are more than it really is. But oh well...that's how I get my kids to love it. hahaha...

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  48. Banana bread is the best made from very rape bananas. I love the aroma of it. A few days ago I made banana bread also with carrots and raisins. Thank you for sharing this recipe!

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    1. Banana bread with carrots and raisins sounds wonderful. I'm going to check out your recipe and try your version. ;)

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  49. I love everything about this recipe. And yes, I agree that chocolate and orange go so well together! The last recipe I posted (peanut butter chocolate chip cookies) combines those two flavors too :)

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    1. Glad you also like orange and chocolate together. :) And PB and chocolate chips cookies sounds just as wonderful.

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  50. I just *know* this is delicious! Orange (and other citrus) zest seems to make everything better and I love the slicd almonds on top here, too! Yum! :

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    1. Oh most definitely. I love the citrus zest that brightens up the flavors. ;) Glad you like that too.

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  51. I love banana breads of all kinds. Especially if there's chocolate involved.

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    1. Amen. I'm glad you like chocolate chips in banana bread too, Kim. ;)

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  52. Hi Amy, awesome combination. Look so good and very moist. Great to go with hot coffee. YUMMY!

    Have a nice week ahead,regards.

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    1. Oh yes, I love to pair this banana bread with coffee. Perfect breakfast/afternoon treat. ;)

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  53. who doesn't love a good banana bread with choco chips! This is one of the breads that my daughter and husband both love!


    Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen

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    1. I know...my family finally loves a good old banana bread (with add on's!) hahaah...

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  54. this looks great and hence the reason I don't bake much I eat it all he he

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    1. hehe...that's why I make sure I have someone to share before I bake. ;)

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  55. Great looking bread! Gorgeous pictures as always.

    Nazneen @coffeeandcrumpets.com

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    1. Thank you, Nazneen. Glad you enjoy my pictures. ;)

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  56. It looks fabulous. Really wish I had a slice right now!

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    1. Wish I can send over a slice to you. It was in deed very delicious.

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  57. What a beautiful and moist classic...love the chocolate studded in in too!

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    1. Thank you. Glad you love this classic and the chocolate chips. ;)

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  58. I adore banana bread, plain or jazzed up like yours. I'm loving the idea of adding orange into the mix --thanks for the inspiration Amy. Lovely post.

    Anne ~ Uni Homemaker

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    1. Thank you for your sweet comment, Anne. Glad you like my jazzed up version. ;)

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  59. Such a great idea to add chocolate chips! They make everything feel more festive.

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  60. Thanks for sharing. This recipe will be good for my kids' breakfast.

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