Nutella Swirled Banana Bread

Something's coming.

There's gonna be some big things happening on This Woman Cooks! next week. A whole week of sweet treats brought to you by yours truly and by several other fabulous bloggers. To prepare you for the massive tooth ache you're gonna get, I thought I'd share a recent breakfast treat I made for the hubby. Oh. Did I mention there will be a giveaway involved by the end of sweet treats week... stay tuned.

It's hard thinking up something portable, not so messy, and convenient for the hubby to take with him on the car ride to "work" (third rotation-internal medicine). He scarfs down whatever baked good I've made for the week and washes it down with a fruit smoothie. That I also make. Nightly. I'm too good of a wife. Where are my roses!?

I knew he'd like this because: 1. He loves bananas. 2. He is obsessed with Nutella. Every time we go to Costco I have to talk him out of buying the two ginormous bottles that he will not have a chance to finish before their expiration date.

Despite all the Nutella that went into this bread, I found it to be unpronounced. Apparently I have a Nutella problem too! I suggest adding more, a few tablespoons or so, unless you're not a crazed Nutella fan. In which case, I'd worry about you.

Source: Visions of Sugar Plum
Makes 1 loaf


2 1/3 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/4 cups mashed ripe banana
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1/2 cup Nutella

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a 9-inch loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, using a mixer on medium speed, beat together banana, butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla until creamy and well combined - about 2 minutes.  Beat in eggs until well combined - about 2 minutes.  Reduce mixer speed to low and beat in flour mixture until just combined.  Divide 1/2 of of the batter into a medium bowl; stir in Nutella until combined. 

Alternate spoonfuls of batter into loaf pan until all of the batter is used up.  Swirl batter gently with a knife (not too much!).  Bake 1 hour or until well risen, deep golden brown, and a toothpick inserted into bread comes out with moist crumbs attached.

What are your ideas of a portable/convenient breakfast?