Peanut Butter Banana Bread

This is an excellent recipe for an alternative to banana bread. It combines the classic flavors of peanut butter, banana, and chocolate to create a memorable dessert perfect for any gathering. As you can see from the picture above, there wasn't much left when I actually remembered to take a picture. I hope you and yours enjoy this as much as we did.

You need:

TOPPING
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp. cinnamon

BATTER
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 pkg (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 cup mashed ripe bananas
1 tsp. vanilla
2 1/4 cups flour (I used half all-purpose and half whole wheat)
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, stir the flour, brown sugar, peanut butter and cinnamon until crumbly; set aside for topping.

In a large bowl, cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in bananas and vanilla. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda and cinnamon; stir into creamed mixture just until moistened.

Divide half of the batter between two greased 8x4 inch loaf pans; sprinkle with half of the topping. Top with chocolate chips. Repeat layers of batter and topping.

Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Modified from (2009, February/March). Peanut Butter Banana Bread. Taste of Home, 42.