Maple Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Got a freezer full of bananas kicking around? I often do!

And what better way to use them up than banana bread! Here’s my favourite recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4-5 medium, overripe bananas - mashed

• 1/2 cup salted butter, room temperature or melted + cooled slightly

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed

• 1/2 cup pure maple syrup

• 1 tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (or bread flour, it really doesn’t matter)

• 1 cup chocolate chips (I use half milk chocolate, half semi-sweet)

• Maldon flaky salt (optional)

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 F - line a loaf pan with greased parchment paper.

2. If your bananas are frozen, place them on a lined baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes until softened - cut open and place into a large mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer. (Careful, they’re hot!)

3. Mash your bananas with a fork or mix with the paddle briefly in the mixer to break down.

4. To the bananas, add the butter, eggs, brown sugar, maple syrup and vanilla and mix until combined.

5. Add the cinnamon, baking soda and flour and mix until just combined. Do not overmix! Scrape down the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is combined.

6. Fold in your chocolate chips - save some aside to put on top!

7. Pour batter into prepared pan, top with leftover chocolate chips and flaky salt if desired.

8. Bake for 60-70 minutes until no longer jiggly and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.

9. Allow to cool at least 30 minutes before serving (but really, it is best warm with butter)

Enjoy!