Chocolate Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread

Once, when I was picking up Erin and Kelly from my parent's house after work, Kelly whispered to me, "Grandma likes chocolate and Cheese Curls!"  I said, "Don't worry, sweetie, you have those freaky genes too and one day you'll eat something that is just as weird :)" 

It's a fact, my mother loved chocolate and so when I was faced with still more ripened bananas, I racked my brain for a banana bread version that she would have loved.  I've had many a banana bread with chocolate chips, but the memory of all the ways my Mom made my peanut butter sandwiches for school also popped in my head. Admittedly, I was born in 1950 and of course, Elvis Presley was the rage in the 50s.  I was too young to be a fan, but I do remember hearing how he loved Peanut Butter & Banana sandwiches and I asked my mother if she would make one for my lunch.  You can imagine my surprise when I found this special sandwich in my brown bag; my Mom loved to do the unexpected.

Today, is the culmination of memories when I decided to subject you all to still another banana bread recipe:)  This may not be my last, but it's definitely one of my favorites.

Chocolate Swirled Peanut Butter Banana Bread

2 large eggs
1 c granulated sugar
1/2 c light brown sugar, packed
1/2 c (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
3 large bananas, mashed
2/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. banana flavoring
1/4 tsp. vanilla powder
2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
6 oz. dark chocolate, melted
1 cup broken, lightly toasted walnuts
1/3 c chocolate chips

Preheat oven 350F-degrees. Use a non-stick baking spray and prepare 2 5" x 9" loaf pans.  Place walnuts on a baking pan and lightly toast, 6-8 minutes.  Let cool.  Break into pieces and mix with the 1/3 c of chocolate chips.

In a double boiler, melt chocolate over low heat.  Set aside. 


In the KitchenAid, using a paddle attachment, beat the eggs and sugars, combining thoroughly.  In a medium bowl, mash bananas, then, add vanilla and banana flavoring.  Add to the bowl along with the peanut butter and beat to combine.  Remove paddle attachment and stir in the dry ingredients completely.

Place some batter in the bottom of both pans.  Use a spoon to place dollops of melted chocolate over the batter.

Continue layering batter and chocolate one more time, ending with batter.  Divide the walnuts/chocolate chips and place on top.

Place in the oven and bake 15 minutes.  Lower oven to 325F-degrees and continue baking another 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center.  Cool in the loaf pan 10 minutes and then remove and cool completely before slicing.

These loaves brought back such good memories of childhood and quirky combinations. Enjoy!