Dark Chocolate Swirled Banana Bread

I had a sonogram earlier, and everything looks perfectly normal. Though we knew it would be fine just because the worst has happened, I still can’t describe the relief I felt seeing those 4 limbs moving around like performing some sort of Kung-Fu in there.

Hate me if you have more than one child, and they all have very distant birthdays. Cause I’m going to arrange only one birthday party a year for both kids as Ethan’s born on October 22. And the due date for my second child is October 25, 2010.

Ingredients (one loaf):
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 stick unsalted butter, soften
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana
1/3 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dark chocolate chips, melted

Directions:
Grease a loaf pan. Line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a bowl, whisk the flour with the baking powder, baking soda and salt.
In a stand mixer, beat sugar and butter at medium speed until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add banana, sour cream and vanilla, beat until blended.
With the mixer on low speed, add flour mixture, beat until just incorporated.
Spoon half of the batter into a separate bowl. Add melted chocolate to another half of the batter and fold in. With two spoons, place spoonfuls of the two mixtures into the prepared loaf pan alternately. Run a pairing knife through the two batters to achieve a marbled effect. (Note: Swirl rigorously or else you will have a non-swirled cake like mine!)
Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
Remove from oven and place on a wire rack to cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan.

19 comments

  1. Hello there, i just wanted to tell you that i made the bread. And its the best i ever made!
    Thank you so much for this fabulous recipe!

  2. First time at your blog (thru 南方舞廳). As I’m going thru your recipes, I came to this post and saw that your son was born on the same day as me! So I must leave a msg. :)

  3. Whoa!!!! I am completely out of the loop here!!!! Congratulations on your wonderful and very happy news!!!! I am so happy to hear that Ethan will be a big brother soon! Giving Ethan a sibiling is the best thing you could ever do for him! And also, your bread is beeeauuuutiful!!! Your food always looks amazing!

  4. I lOVE this cake. I love the name Lululu. I'm not sure how your children will feel about the one birthday party. Kids are funny like that. The first two-three years, they don't care, but after that, they are very upset when they have to share, like if their birthday is on Christmas. We'll stay posted to see how it works out. I hope you start feeling better soon.

    P.S. Get that cast iron pan. You will be so happy with it. The best part is it goes from stove top to oven so easily.

  5. Congratulations you certainly know how to plan well.

    I have 3 sons & celebrate a birthday every for months! (Jan, May, & Sept).

    Now about that loaf! Wow… it looks amazing!

  6. Congratulations and God Bless on the new addition to your family!

    By the way, you are after my own heart with this banana bread and dark chocolate recipe. I am making this as soon as humanly possible. Amazing.

  7. WHhhaaa? Congratulations! lululu. Are you going to write a second blog for the new baby:-) How convenient their birthday are. Who knows, they could be born on the same day! Great news indeed. Love the banana cake btw. Definitely goes well with the chocolate swirl:)

  8. That is the slickest-lookin' banana bread EVERRRR! Nicely done and congrats, too!

  9. Congratulations! Ethan gets to be a big brother now! I hope he's ready :) It's great to have the birthdays so close together!

  10. Perfect combination. Thank you for sharing your story – you are amazing and courageous and Ethan and your husband and your little one are very lucky! Many, many blessings!

  11. Oh, wow! Another baby! That's awesome! Congratulations! Nice cake to celebrate the news. ;-)

    Paz (who also has a birthday in October)

  12. I hate u…… Of course NOT
    Big Congratulations!!! N I feel soooooo happy for u n ur family. Ethan is promoted! Wowow

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