Well, friends, it’s been a while. Too long, in fact. My husband and I just returned home from a few days away and man am I feeling refreshed and ready to go. 

It can be so difficult to get away sometimes…with the planning and arranging and getting the kids in order and child care lined up (child care that we are incredibly grateful for, I must note). Not to mention the guilt that comes along with it. But each and every time we go away we commit to each other to keep it up. Everyday-life gets in the way of us connecting on a regular basis, which I know happens to many of you, too. So taking that time for uninterrupted reconnection is invaluable. Precious and so necessary.  It fills us up… to get away from the everyday stresses. To have nothing but relaxation and fun together. To revert back to our ‘old’ selves, even, without all of the responsibilities. And how wonderful for our kids to see us taking care of our marriage.  I am so grateful for the time we were able to spend together. And now, back home. To my babies. Allthekisses…..give them to me now!

And speaking of my littles, I made this Banana Chocolate Marble Bread for them to have while we were away and it didn’t last long enough to see us go…it was gobbled up so quickly.  If you are all about the combination of chocolate and banana this stuff is definitely for you.

The base of the recipe is very close to my favorite banana bread recipe, but with melted chocolate swirled through the whole loaf.  The edges get just perfectly browned and the middle as velvety and sweet as can be.  Such a fun switch up!

Hope your week is off to a great start!  xo

Banana Chocolate Marble Bread

note: If you do not have oat flour on hand it is very simple to make your own: just place rolled or old fashioned oats (gluten free for a GF version) in a food processor or blender and process until it becomes a fine, flour-like texture.  Also, milk, dark and semi-sweet chocolate will all work here…use your favorite.

Ingredients

1 1/4 Cups Oat Flour

1/2 Cup Almond Flour or Meal

2 Teaspoons Baking Powder

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

3 Very Ripe Bananas, mashed

6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter, melted and slightly cooled

1/4 Cup Honey

2 Eggs, lightly beaten

1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract

1/2 Cup Chopped Chocolate

2 Teaspoons Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan.  Place the oat flour, almond flour/meal, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl; whisk to combine.

Add the bananas, butter, honey, eggs and vanilla to a large bowl and whisk well.  Stir in the flour mixture until just combined.

Melt the chocolate in the microwave in a glass bowl in 30 second increments, stirring in between, until just melted.  Stir in the cocoa powder.  Add one cup of the banana bread batter to the chocolate and stir to combine.

Pour half of the banana bread batter into the prepared loaf pan, top with half the chocolate mixture and then repeat.  Run a butter knife through the batter in a swirl motion (be sure not to overdo it… ‘swirling’ the batter will cause it to blend together and you wont have a ‘marble’ look).  Place in the oven and bake for 55-65 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Let cool before slicing.  Makes 1 loaf.

inspired by this recipe