Gone Bananas!

I often find myself with more bananas than I know what to do with!  They start to get brown so fast, and I hate throwing them out.  I'd rather turn them into something yummy!  We are big fans of banana bread, but I was looking for something just a little different than my usual recipe.


I'm a sucker for streusel.  My mom and I once made streusel "by accident" one day when I was a girl, and once I discovered what streusel was, I never wanted to live without it again!  This recipe combines a soft and delicious banana bread, with a hint of nutmeg and cinnamon, streusel topping and chocolate chunks in the middle.  Oh yes.  Try this one soon!

Banana Bread with Chocolate Chunks and Streusel Topping
adapted from Simple Gourmet Cooking

2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 large eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups mashed ripe banana (about 4-5 medium)
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup chocolate chunks

Streusel:
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
3 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 tablespoons cold butter

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9x5 pan (I used cooking spray)

In a large mixing bowl combine dry ingredients (flour through nutmeg).
Make a well in the middle of the bowl for the wet ingredients and set aside.

In another medium bowl, whisk 2 eggs, then add wet ingredients (banana through oil) and mix well.
Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir well until just incorporated. Batter will be lumpy.
Pour half of batter into prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chunks down the middle.  Pour rest of batter over chocolate.

To make the streusel topping, combine the brown sugar and flour in a small bowl. Using a fork or pastry blender, cut in the cold butter until mixture resembles course crumbs. Sprinkle mixture over the top of the batter.

Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing (um, I didn't wait, I had it warm.  Oh well!)

Enjoy!

Allison