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Nutella Striped Banana Bread

Mondays. It’s always pretty brutal waking up after a few days of sleeping in, but this one is particularly brutal because I had Friday off, as well.  Three days of sleeping and doing whatever I wanted abruptly ended and it’s back to the real world.  At least I had a great weekend, some fun with my family, and a pile of sweet treats from a local Greek festival.  Good thing I made up this Nutella striped banana bread to enjoy for breakfast or I wouldn’t stand a chance against the workweek.

nutella-bread1

I make banana bread allll the time, but for some reason have never posted about it.  Unless you count banana bread cookies. Which you totally should, because they’re amazing.  I brought them to work and had no fewer than 3 people ask for the recipe within 15 minutes.  Success story right there.  Oh, and Udi’s pinned them.  I’m still pretty excited about that weeks later.  This banana bread is even better.  While it’s not conveniently grab-and-go like a cookie, the flavors are incredible and the Nutella layer is extra tasty and fudge – it’s like having a brownie in the middle of your banana bread. Sold yet?

nutella-bread3

If you’re not a fan of Nutella (or are vegan), I suggest swapping out for any nut butter or nut butter + a tablespoon or two of cocoa powder.  The half cup I added seems a little extreme for 1/3 of the batter, and it probably is.  If you go with a little less, you’re going to lose a bit of the fudgy-ness, but you’ll still get plenty of Nutella flavor.  The choice is yours – when in doubt, I always just throw the whole jar in.  No judgment zone, right?

Nutella Striped Banana Bread
Author: 
Serves: 12
 

Ingredients
  • 3 very ripe bananas
  • ½ c brown sugar
  • ½ c unsweetened applesauce
  • ¼ c maple syrup (could use any liquid sweetener, such as agave)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ c milk of choice (I used unsweetened almond)
  • 2 tbsp flax meal
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 c whole grain flour (see notes)
  • ½ c Nutella (see notes for vegan option)

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare a loaf pan by spritzing with nonstick spray.
  2. Thoroughly mash the banana and mix in ingredients through vanilla until well combined.
  3. Add the remaining ingredients, except the Nutella, and mix until just combined.
  4. Microwave the Nutella for approximately 30 seconds until it is slightly liquidy and easier to mix. Stir in ~1/3 of the batter.
  5. In the loaf pan layer ½ of the remaining plain batter, the Nutella batter, and the remaining plain batter. If desired, gently swirl the layers together with a knife.
  6. Bake for 50 minutes then cover and bake for an additional 10, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown more than you’d like, cover earlier in the baking process.
  7. Let cool for at least 15 minutes before enjoying.

Notes
Nutella layer will stay slightly fudgy.
For a vegan version, use any nut butter + 1 – 2 tbsp of cocoa powder in place of the Nutella.
I used ½ c hazelnut flour + 1 ½ c whole wheat pastry flour. Up to 100% whole wheat pastry flour can be used. For GF, use up to ½ c nut flour along with GF mix or oat flour.

Nutrition Information
Calories: 220 Fat: 6g Carbohydrates: 38g Fiber: 4g Protein: 3g

 

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30 Comments
    Aimee @ ShugarySweets Jun 21, 2013

    This is just good stuff on a plate! Yum.

    The Domestic Rebel Jun 21, 2013

    Whaaaat? So jelly you got to go to a local Greek festival! Sacramento used to host them but now they’re a poop and don’t 🙁 I love Greek food and culture! Mondays are also poops. I hate them. I don’t, however, hate banana bread. Espesh one that’s striped with Nutella! Duude.

      Kelly Jun 24, 2013

      I looooooove Greek food. It’s the best. I’m spoiled having Greektown in Detroit, so I can go get authentic Greek food semi-regularly. Yummmm.

    Tina @ Tina's Chic Corner Jun 21, 2013

    We don’t keep nutella in the house…probably for obvious reasons. 😉 But this looks so good and I know it is awesome with bananas! Definitely gotta buy a jar of this stuff to try your recipe. 🙂

    Weekly Round Up | Brooklyn Farm Girl Jun 21, 2013

    […] that I pinned that I dream about at night. Nutella Striped Banana Bread: Going to try this with chocolate peanut butter instead of Nutella. No Knead Make Ahead Dinner […]

    makingthymeforhealth Jun 20, 2013

    A yummy treat always helps a case of the Mondays! This looks delicious! And those cookies…that is so exciting that Udi’s pinned them, congrats! 🙂

    Daniel @ TickleMyTastebuds Jun 20, 2013

    Oh my – bananas and nutella, what’s not to love? And combined! This looks fantastic!

    Dave @ Fit Chef Chicago Jun 19, 2013

    Nutella banana bread – great idea! Huge banana bread fans over here and never thought of utilizing nutella. Can’t wait to try it! Thanks!

    Ashley Bee Jun 19, 2013

    Love it! Nutella is magical. And I like that you have GF options too!

    Julia Jun 19, 2013

    I hear ya on the sleep…it can be tough to pull yourself back into the work week when all you want is another full day of rest 😉 Every banana loaf should be striped with nutella. The end. Looks delicious!

    Natalie Jun 19, 2013

    Oh wow the nutella addition makes this so amazing, gotta try this out.

    Reeni Jun 18, 2013

    Nutella banana bread would get me out of bed in a real hurry! They make the best pair! Totally delectable!

    Becky @ Olives n Wine Jun 18, 2013

    This looks so so SO rich and gooey and Nutella-y 🙂 Drooling… Too bad I don’t allow myself to have nutella in the house – I’ll have to try your vegan option!

      Kelly Jun 19, 2013

      I actually forgot I had Nutella left over from a recipe months ago. I think I’ve earned the right to buy it again by not eating it all with my fingers immediately.

    Joanne Jun 18, 2013

    Banana bread with a nutella swirl would certainly make my Monday infinitely better!

    Marcie Jun 17, 2013

    Kelly, this bread looks phenomenal. I never tire of banana bread, and its even better with Nutella!

    Christie@fooddonelight.com Jun 17, 2013

    This sounds amazing. I just up 2 over ripe bananas in the freezer for an undetermined use. I have to make this.

    Anne ~ Uni Homemaker Jun 17, 2013

    Nutella and banana? Yes please! 🙂 This is such a great way to start the week, YUM!

    christinegalvani Jun 17, 2013

    Looks delicious – nutella and banana bread – doesn’t get much better than that! It does look fudgy, which I love.

      Kelly Jun 17, 2013

      Thanks, Christine!

    Em @ Love A Latte Jun 17, 2013

    This looks like the best way to start a Monday!!! I had a bowl of rice krispies – totally lame compared to this! 🙂

    cleaneatingveggiegirl Jun 17, 2013

    This sounds delicious, and I absolutely LOVE and appreciate that you adapted it for a vegan option, too!! Thanks for sharing :).

      Kelly Jun 17, 2013

      I was soooo sad when I figured out Nutella isn’t vegan. Had to make sure everyone can enjoy something this delicious!

    cookingactress Jun 17, 2013

    I’m mesmerized by that thick delicious nutella swirl in the center….ooooooh

    Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl Jun 17, 2013

    How do you think this would be if I substituted the nutella with chocolate peanut butter? I want this bread now but don’t want to get out of my pajamas to go to the store. 🙂

      Kelly Jun 17, 2013

      Chocolate peanut butter would work amazingly! No need to change out of your pajamas. Let me know how it turns out 🙂