I got this recipe for chocolate-chip banana bread from my daughter, Thing 1. She’s 11. She’s been making it, by herself, for a couple years now.
She uses a recipe from Betty Crocker Kids Cook. She considers it her recipe. I’m supposed to ask permission before I make it. I’m OK with that.
It’s good any time, but it’s especially good in the morning with a cup of coffee and the Sunday paper.
It disappears quickly, although no one really admits to nibbling. I usually end up having to cut a couple of slices and stashing them in a plastic container on a high shelf in the kitchen, so I can have a slice the next day.
Ingredients
- 3 bananas
- 1 stick of butter (or margarine)
- 2 eggs
- 1 1/2 cups of sugar
- 1/2 cup of buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla
- 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1/2 chopped walnuts (optional)
Directions
- Spray the bottom of a 9-by-5 loaf pan with cooking spray and pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees.
- Peel and mash the bananas until they’re almost smooth.
- Melt the margarine in a saucepan.
- Combine the bananas, margarine, eggs, sugar, buttermilk and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the flour, chocolate chips, baking soda, salt and (optional) walnuts. Stir until the flour is wet then pour into the loaf pan.
- Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the center of the loaf comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the bread cool for about 5 minutes. Use a knife to loosen the bread and let it cool on a wire cooling rack.
I just don’t know about this. I like banana nut bread and I like chocolate chip bread, but I don’t like my food to touch! On the other hand, I don’t think Betty Crocker would lead me astray.
Betty Crocker isn’t real, but Thing 1 is, and Thing 1 wouldn’t lead you astray.
USELESS TRIVIA: “Betty Crocker” was invented by the Washburn Crosby Co. “Betty” sounded cheery, and “Crocker” was the name of one of the company’s directors. Chef Boyardee was real, though.
Thanks a lot, Todd. Now I’m starving and that bread looks devine. Drool. Your Thing 1 is quite accomplished I see. Next time she whips one up, why don’t you just fedex a few pieces up my way, ok?
My kids love to help cook/bake as well and last weekend they made a delicious (from a box) pumpkin bread, with a little help from mom. I can totally see them whipping up something like this in a few years.
And Thoughtsy: Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is to die for. Try it. You will not be sorry!!
I don’t think it matters whether it’s from a box or from scratch, as long as you enjoy making it.
That looks really good. I might have to try it since I don’t have a Thing 1 (or 2 or 3) to bake for me. Thanks for sharing this.
She made her first loaf when she was 9 or 10. I figure, if a 9- or 10-year-old can make it, anyone can (even me).
This is what I was thinking, too. I’m not a great cook, although baking seems to go better for me. But this sounds yummy, and if a 9 year old can do it, I can certainly almost maybe do it.
The secret to cooking is following directions. If you do what the directions say, you’ll be fine. (Some techniques you need to practice, but that’s why they invited YouTube.)
I’ll trust Thing 1 over a made-up corporate shill any day.
I trust her except when she says Thing 2 hit her without provocation. Then, I’m skeptical.
Ohhh, I think I have all the ingredients for this at home! I think most any quick-bread can be improved with chocolate chips. I’ve added them to my pumpkin bread and it was very tasty as well.
Good point on the chocolate chips.
Looks delicious. Maybe I should ask Thoughtsy got this after the Ravens lose.
Only if she bakes enough to share with the rest of us.
Sounds great–we’re going to give it a try.
Betty Crocker wasn’t real? I feel more betrayed than when I heard about Milli Vanilli!
Ironically, today, no one would care that Milli Vanilli wasn’t real, you know? We expect so little out of groups today.
Just about anything tastes better with chocolate chips. If you have a daughter who voluntarily bakes for you, I’d say you have it made.
She’s something else.
i love bananas but id miss out on the choc chips never get my new pants on lol so il give it a whirl some time lol xxjen
We’ve made it without chocolate chips and without walnuts, and it’s still good.
Yes, with coffee and the Sunday paper – you know that zeros into a specific demographic, don’t you?
Yes. Yes, I do.
P.S. You kids get off my lawn!
I think that i am going to have to try this..
Starbucks makes a banana choc chip bread and I love stopping to get it before I go to work and this would save me from having to stop and probably save me money too!
Hope you like it!
Sounds lovely!
It is.