Whole Wheat Banana Nutella Bread

A long time ago, while strolling the streets of Stuttgart Germany, I discovered the combination of banana and chocolate. I’ve had a weakness for it ever since. This is a standard banana bread with two changes:

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1. I use freshly ground whole wheat flour instead of white flour.
2. I include a layer of Nutella.

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If you’ve not been introduced to Nutella then you have been denied one of the great simple (and sinful) pleasures in life.

Ingredients

5 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon sunflower, canola, or vegetable oil
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 very ripe bananas, mashed
2 large eggs
1-1/2 cups freshly ground whole wheat flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup buttermilk

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350F. lightly grease a loaf pan. Microwave the Nutella and 1 teaspoon of oil for about 30 seconds until melted, then stir to mix.

Combine the 3 tablespoons oil, the butter, brown sugar, and bananas using a mixer. MIx until well blended.  Add the eggs one at a time.

Combine the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Add this mixture and the buttermilk to the mixer’s mixing bowl at the same time and at about the same rate.  I do this by alternately adding a little of the flour mixture and a little buttermilk.

When the ingredients are well combined, add about half to the loaf pan.  Pour the Nutella into the loaf pan. I usually let the Nutella form a layer that mostly covers the batter. Then add the remaininig batter.

Bake for about 1 hour or until a toothpick can be inserted into the center and it comes out clean. Remove from the oven. Let it cool on a wire rack for about 15 minutes.