Frugal Finance: Recipe: Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread

By Marissa Bognanno, Professional Chef & Zumba Instructor, and Author of The Boot Blog

It was an exhausting day yesterday; twelve hours of driving and interpreting insurance jargon and schmoozing with big time businessmen was no easy task. But it was a complete success, and I think I shocked even myself with my language-switching skills. It’s funny how opportunities sort of magically fall into your lap sometimes, isn’t it? Since today is a holiday, Italian Liberation Day, I decided to wake up early and bake a comforting breakfast. Tell me, what is a better combination than bananas, chocolate and walnuts? Mamma mia, this is so good. If you have to do anything today, it’s make this banana bread.

Chocolate Walnut Banana Bread

based on this recipe

1 stick + 1 tablespoon butter (125g)

3/4 cup sugar

2 eggs

2 cups flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch of salt

4-5 ripe bananas

1 tsp vanilla essence

3.5 ounces dark chocolate, chopped (100 grams)

3/4 cup walnuts, chopped (70 grams)

(Bake using a loaf pan)

Beat butter and sugar and eggs until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt, being careful not to overmix. Add mashed up bananas, vanilla essence, walnuts and chocolate. Pour into a greased 9×5x3 or 8×4x4 loaf pan and bake at 350F/180°C for 1 hour.