Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

I know, I know… Do we really need another banana bread recipe? Well, I say yes for a few reasons:

• I must have made this for my clients 5 times and according to them it's the best they've ever eaten! It goes so quickly I can't believe it every time.
• It has an ultra soft texture (thanks to the creaming of the eggs and sugars) and in my opinion it is not too sweet!
• I love the addition of chocolate chips - it gives it another dessert dimension, but again - not too much!
• I also love the addition of cinnamon and nutmeg - it adds a lovely complexity to the cake!

In any case, I find that there is nothing more comforting than banana bread with a good coffee! Especially at the beginning of this cold season! And don't hesitate to be creative - you can sprinkle with a drizzle of tahini and sesame seeds for a little ''middle eastern'' twist!

Servings: 1 cake (approximately 9 slices)

Preparation: 20 minutes

Cooking and resting: 1 hour 40 minutes

Ingredients :

• 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp nutmeg
• ½ tsp kosher salt
• ½ cup white or cane sugar
• ½ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup avocado or sunflower oil
• 1 ½ cups ultra-ripe bananas, mashed (about 3)
• 2 tbsp 14% sour cream or 2% Greek yogurt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup chocolate chips (Callebaut or Camino 55%) + 1 tsp all-purpose flour
• ⅓ cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 325F and prepare a 9x5 loaf pan lined with a drizzle of oil and a piece of parchment paper (We want the paper to hang over both sides to remove the banana bread easily after baking.) Set aside.
2. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a bowl. Set aside.
3. Add the white sugar and brown sugar to another bowl with the eggs. Mix vigorously with a whisk for about 2 minutes. You want a pale and smooth mixture, doubled in volume. Add the oil and stir again until well incorporated. Add the mashed bananas, sour cream and vanilla. Mix and add the dry ingredients. Mix again until everything is homogeneous and there is no more flour visible in the mixture.
4. Mix ¾ cup chocolate chips with flour and add to mixture. Mix gently and transfer to loaf pan. Sprinkle with remaining chocolate chips and walnuts.
5. Bake on middle rack for 1 hour 15 minutes or until a cake tester or small knife comes out clean.
6. Let stand for about 15 minutes on a rack before unmolding. Let stand another 10 minutes before slicing and enjoy at any time of the day! SO good!!