Banana Cocoa Walnut Loaf

Ingredients:

• • Bananas: 3, ripe and mashed

• • Eggs: 2
  • Cocoa Powder: 2 tablespoons
  • Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon

• • Flour: 1 ½ cups (190 g)
  • Sugar: ½ cup (100 g) (optional, depending on desired sweetness)
  • Walnuts: ½ cup, chopped (or to taste)

• Salt: A pinch
• Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat the Oven:

• • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a loaf pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

2. Mix the Wet Ingredients:

• • In a large bowl, mash the 3 ripe bananas until smooth.
  • Add the 2 eggs and whisk together until fully combined.
  • Stir in the vanilla extract (if using).

3. Combine the Dry Ingredients:

• In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, a pinch of salt, and 1 ½ cups of flour.
• Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring just until incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

4. Add Walnuts:

• • Fold in the chopped walnuts to the batter, ensuring they are evenly distributed.

5. Pour into the Loaf Pan:

• Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and spread it out evenly.

6. Bake:

• Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

7. Cool and Serve:

• • Once baked, remove the loaf from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes.

• Transfer the loaf to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Serving Suggestions:

Enjoy this loaf with a spread of butter, cream cheese, or a drizzle of honey. It pairs beautifully with a cup of coffee or tea.

Cooking Tips:

• • Ripe Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful your loaf will be.

• Substitute Nuts: If you don’t have walnuts, you can use pecans, almonds, or even chocolate chips for extra indulgence.
• Don’t Overmix: To keep the loaf soft and tender, stir the batter just until the ingredients are combined.

Nutritional Benefits:

This loaf provides natural sweetness from bananas and is a great source of potassium and healthy fats from the walnuts.