chocolate

Chunky Monkey Banana Bread

If banana bread stuffed with coconut, walnuts, and chocolate chunks is wrong, I don’t want to be right. We are a don’t-waste-that-banana-family. As in, I will stick that ripe banana in the freezer rather than throw it away family. Frozen bananas can be transformed into “nice” cream, eaten as a snack, or tossed into something wonderful, such as this banana bread.

I love banana  bread, but it has to be the right consistency. The right amount of moisture, the right amount of chunk-age. I don’t usually put nuts in my banana bread, but for this recipe, it was go big or go home.

Chunky Monkey Banana Bread

This recipe calls for greek style plain yogurt, shredded coconut, chopped walnuts…and of course the chunks of chocolate. Because, in my world, all breads have chunks of chocolate.

It is a super easy one bowl recipe, that bakes up evenly, with a nice density and crumb. The coconut holds the moisture and gives the bread a more than bread texture. The melty chocolate and walnuts say “HELLO!” to your tastebuds.

In a world where I wish all things were as easy as this bread, most of life isn’t. Some people aren’t fans of banana. Don’t let your view of banana dim your opinion of this bread. The original recipe is from www.spoonfulofflavor.com and it is Banana Coconut Crunch Bread with Coconut Cream Icing. I changed a few things and it does call for an additional frosting/glaze made with coconut cream and cream cheese. Truthfully, when I made this bread, I didn’t want to go the extra step for the icing…and it didn’t lack a thing. It was sweet enough and yummy enough. Not every thing I bake needs to have frosting. I know. Even I have limits.

Chunky Monkey Bread

Now that the days have officially declared WINTER IS COMING (why is New England so darn cold all of a sudden?), some times it is just nice to sit with a cup of tea or coffee or almond milk and think about how blessed you are. This recipe made up four small loaf pans, which is perfect for bake sales or sharing with your friend, which is what I did.

Here is a shout out to the momma’s who are tired. Who run kids to practices, help with homework, keep the laundry going, set healthy (mostly) meals before their children, try to fit in exercise, do the rest of their work after they have put kiddos to bed, spend weekends running to catch up, and love love love until they are exhausted.

Chunky Monkey Banana Bread

That’s the kind of friend I shared my bread with. My teacher friend who I believe was my hallway neighbor for a reason. The kind of friend who, on a Monday morning, I am happy to say, “Hey, I baked for you!” (Or actually, I baked for your family because I know you don’t like banana bread but your husband and kids will like it…I hope)!

She’s the friend who is the first to text, “What can I do to help?” She reminds me I too am a good momma. That my kids will turn out just right. Even when I question and worry. Don’t we all need someone like that in our lives? If we don’t have one, let’s be one.

I wish for you a moment where you can whip up this bread, smell it baking, eat a slice while it is still warm, and a real friend to share it with. That, to me is a beautiful thing.

I hope you enjoy this recipe, and as always, thank you for coming to the table!
Chrissy

Click below for a printable recipe!

Chunky Monkey Banana Bread

Print Recipe

Delicious banana bread with the addition of coconut, walnuts, and chocolate chunks! Recipe from www.spooonfulofflavor.com

• Author: chrissy@mythankfultable.com

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 3 Ripe Bananas, Mashed
• 1/4 Cup Plain Greek-Style Yogurt
• 2 Eggs
• 3/4 Cup White Granulated Sugar
• 6 Tablespoons of Melted Butter, (Cooled)
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1/2 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts
• 1 1/2 Cup Shredded Coconut (I used sweetened)
• 2 Cups Flour

Instructions

1. Prepare four small loaf pans with non-stick spray.
2. Preheat oven to 325*
3. In a mixer, combine mashed bananas, yogurt, eggs, butter, vanilla until combined.
4. Add sugar, salt, baking soda.
5. Add flour and shredded coconut
6. Fold in walnuts and chocolate chunks
7. Bake for 50 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean.