Chocolate Banana Bread

This banana bread combines the sweet flavor of ripe bananas with chocolate.   We serve this bread in the afternoon with a cup of tea or coffee, but I am not against having a slice for breakfast either.

1/2 cup (55 grams) toasted walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped
1 3/4 cups (245 grams) all-purpose flour
1/4 cup (30 grams) Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1 cup (200 grams) granulated white sugar
1 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (85 grams) white chocolate chips
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
3 ripe bananas (approximately 1 pound or 454 grams), mashed well (about 1-1/2 cups)
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (180 degrees C) and place oven rack to middle position.  Butter and flour (or spray with a non stick vegetable/flour spray) the bottom and sides of a 9 x 5 x 3 inch (23 x 13 x 8 cm) loaf pan.  Set aside.

Place the nuts on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 - 10 minutes or until lightly toasted.  Let cool and then chop coarsely. 
In a large bowl whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.  Set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl combine the mashed bananas, eggs, melted butter, and vanilla.  With a rubber spatula or wooden spoon, lightly fold the wet ingredients (banana mixture) into the dry ingredients until just combined and batter is thick and chunky.   Fold in the nuts and chocolate chips.  Scrape batter into prepared pan and sprinkle the top of the bread with coarse brown sugar (optional).  Bake until bread has risen and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 55 to 65 minutes.  Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan.  Serve warm or at room temperature.

Makes 1 - 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf.