Almond Joy Banana Bread

Every once in awhile a recipe comes together so perfectly, it is just meant to be. I had some ripe bananas that I wanted to use up and not have to freeze since I already have quite the collection of frozen bananas. I was looking for a recipe, but all of the ones I found, I was missing or did not have enough of some of the ingredients, then I found this recipe and it turned out I had the exact amount of bananas, almonds, coconut and chocolate chips. This recipe was truly meant to be.

This banana bread has that classic banana flavor, but with so much more flavor from the chocolate chips, coconut and almonds. Normally I am not a fan of nuts in my baked goods, but they are so good in this bread.

Almond Joy Banana Bread

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups mashed bananas, about 4-5
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut, divided
• 3/4 cup sliced almonds, divided 
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350º F. Spray 2- 9x5 inch loaf pans with cooking spray.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese and both sugars until light and creamy. Mix in the eggs, banana and almond extract.
3. In another large bowl, whisk together the baking powder, baking soda and flour.
4. Slowly add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and mix until completely incorporated.
5. Roughly diced 1/2 cup of the sliced almonds.
6. Stir in the diced almonds, chocolate chips and 1 cup coconut.
7. Spoon the batter evenly between to two prepared pans and gently spread into an even layer.
8. Sprinkle the tops of both with the remaining 1/2 cup coconut and 1/4 cup sliced almonds.
9. Bake for 45 minutes. Cover the pans loosely with aluminum foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out mostly clean.
10. Cool the bread in the pans on a cooling rack for 10-15 minutes. Turn the breads out of the pans onto the cooling racks and allow to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Enjoy!!!

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 24
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 309
Total Fat		17.3g
Saturated Fat		11.5g
Polyunsaturated Fat		0g
Monounsaturated Fat		1.5g
Trans Fat		0g
Cholesterol		42.9mg
Sodium		79.3mg
Potassium		68.2mg
Total Carbohydrates		35.1g
Dietary Fiber		2.3g
Sugars		19.2g
Protein		4.2g
Vitamin A 5.6% Vitamin C 1.6%
Calcium 13.6% Iron 5.1%
*Nutritional information will vary depending on the brands you use.

*Adapted from Inside BruCrew Life.