Special Banana Bread

I was trying to think of how to make banana bread different, so I added chocolate! Then I wanted something that would really set it apart, so why not a Gran Marnier drizzle to give it a nice hint of sweet orange? It is really delicious, and the recipe is right here!

Photo:Erich Coleman

Chocolate Banana Bread with Gran Marnier

1 3/4 (414 ml) cups flour

1/4 (59 ml) cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 (7 ml)  tsp cream of tartar

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 1/4 (6 ml) tsp baking soda

2 eggs

1 (5 ml) tsp vanilla flavoring

2/3 (158 ml)cups sugar

2 ripe bananas

1/3 (79 ml) cup butter

2 cups (474 ml) walnuts

4 tbsp (59 ml) Gran Marnier (2 tbsp separated)

2 tbsp (30 ml) simple syrup

(simple syrup: 1 cup (237 ml) water, 2 cups sugar, bring to a boil to dissolve sugar, let cool, then it's done!)

Preheat over 350 degrees (177 C). Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Pour 2 tbsp of Gran Marnier over two cups two cups of walnuts. Turn the walnuts every five minutes or so to absorb the orange flavor. Mix eggs, butter,  sugar, and bananas well. Pour wet ingredients int dry ingredients and turn slowly until well-mixed. Bake banana bread in a bread pan for about one hour, or until a toothpick in the middle comes out clean. Combine remaining simple syrup and Gran Marnier and pour on top and down the sides where the bread meets the pan. Try to cover as much as possible, as the heat from the pan will evaporate the liquids. leaving behind a faint, sweet orange flavor with every bite. Enjoy!

Kitchen Tip: Take a clean toothpick and poke it in the center of the bread about 10 minutes before you think it might be done. If it comes out clean, then it is done. Ovens vary in tempurature, and this is an easy way to not over-bake your dessert!