February 05, 2009

Banana Bread with Espresso and Dark Chocolate Chips

I’m not a huge coffee drinker. I seemed to be one of the few people that didn’t survive on it during exam time at University and I don’t crave it first thing in the morning like some people do. I enjoy a cup every now and then but I think the reason I don’t drink it more often is the aftereffect. I hate coffee-breath. I feel like I need to brush my teeth immediately after I finish a coffee to get the lingering taste out of my mouth. If coffee didn’t leave me with coffee breath I could definitely see myself being an addict. Since I drink it so infrequently though, the caffeine really hits me. A single cup of coffee is enough to make me unusually chatty and a little bit shaky. I can’t drink it in the evening either or else I’ll be up all night. But I like the smell of coffee and I especially like it in ice cream and baked goods.

Today, while looking for a banana bread recipe I stumbled across one I’ve made before, courtesy of Elise of Simply Recipes. I started reading the comments section and saw one from David Lebovitz that suggested adding a shot of espresso to the batter. I think I would follow along with pretty much anything David Lebovitz suggested based on how much I love The Perfect Scoop. So off I went to the kitchen to give the espresso banana bread a try. I like chocolate chips in my banana bread so I added some dark ones of those too.

I’ve noticed while typing this post that Demetri Martin was right when he said “I feel stupid when I write the word banana. Its like, how many na’s are on this thing? ‘Cause I’m like ‘Ba-na… keep going. Bana-na-na… Damn!” Thank God for youtube because by the time I baked up my banana bread and waited for it to cool it was too late in the day for me to be eating it with coffee but I did anyways so now I won’t be sleeping for quite a while. At least I’ve got Demetri to keep me company. I’m going to start by watching The Jokes with Guitar for the 74th time…

Banana Bread (Adapted from Simply Recipes)

3 ripe bananas, smashed
1/3 cup melted butter
¾ cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons espresso powder
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
2/3 cup dark chocolate chips

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). With a wooden spoon, mix butter into the mashed bananas in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar, egg, and vanilla. Sprinkle the baking soda, espresso powder and salt over the mixture and mix in. Add the flour and chocolate chips and mix. Pour mixture into a buttered 4x8 inch loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes. Cool on a rack. Remove from pan and slice to serve.

21 comments:

Liz said...

This sounds delicious! I love adding chocolate chips to my banana bread (now I can't type banana without giggling) but haven't tried espresso. Makes me want to go bake right now!

Snooky doodle said...

this looks delcioius! Is that all witha cup of coffee I would add at least another slice. I think espresso goes well with this banana bread. ahve to try it :)

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

This is one of those stroke of genius moments:S

Treasures By Brenda said...

I have never added chocolate chips to my Best-Ever Banana Bread Recipe but I just may have to try it. I, too, will be thinking ba-na-na-na-na now!

Brenda

Cookie baker Lynn said...

It looks great, but it would leave me jittery, too. I can't handle more than my morning cup of tea. Terry Pratchett says "I know how to start spelling banana, I just don't know how to stop!"

Anonymous said...

Mmm, I've definitely done banana with chocolate chips before but not with coffee. It sounds good! I'm also heavily affected by coffee - I'm more of a tea person and caffeine really messes me up, but in baked goods it doesn't matter.

And yay for Demetri! Are you planning to watch his new show?

Amy said...

Oh, I adore banana bread. And coffee. And chocolate. AND Demetri Martin! This post is just a culmination of things that make me happy.

Anonymous said...

I'm 40 and only had 1 cup of coffee in my life (just a few months ago!) Still hate it, but adding espresso to that sounds so good. I basically put chocolate chips in all muffins I make, and breads, and pancakes, and waffles! Its so good, and you don't have to put a ton in either. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Unknown said...

I am totally making this for my parents when I go home in a couple of weeks!

giz said...

This definitely works - love the dishes too.

cookworm said...

Banana, chocolate, and espresso, separated at birth? I think I need to go buy some more bananas; that bread looks pretty sublime.

Anonymous said...

i wonder what the difference would be if i used brewed espresso vs. the powder. loving the recipe. thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

It's funny, but everybody seems to be baking with bananas lately! Thes look really good, and it is funny because I have Cappuccino biscotti with choco chips on my to do list for this week. And I do love coffee.

Maggie said...

Another idea for using up some of my espresso powder!
I love banana bread and this sounds perfect.

T.W. Barritt at Culinary Types said...

Worth staying up all night for. That sounds like a delicious combination of flavors.

Anonymous said...

Yummy, yummy! I'd love to have a piece for that bread!

Maria said...

Now that is a good slice of banana bread!

Manggy said...

Hmm, I'm not a super-fan of Demetri (his youth-y vibe freaks me out, especially since he's 35, lol), but I do enjoy his humor every now and then. But banana bread with chocolate? Anytime yes please! :)

Talka said...

oh my goodness...I must get some bananas NOW!! :D It looks so delicious, and the addition of espresso and dark chocolate chips is just too awesome!

test it comm said...

That banana bread is looking good. I like chocolate chips in banana bread and I will have to try adding some espresso next time.

Unknown said...

Grrr...I went to make this tonight and then realized (mid-recipe!) that my coffee was not instant and needed brewing, so I had to do without the coffee. I will try again with the coffee but the base is in the oven right now!