Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

This recipe makes two loaves of moist banana bread, and with the addition of maraschino cherries and chocolate chips your family will be asking for more!

I think I've had intentions on trying different banana bread ideas I've had for a long while now. You know what happens every time I buy a bunch?
They disappear.
These boys with fruit, oh my word. I used to buy loads of marked down fruit and produce at a local grocery outlet. I actually did most of my weekly shopping there because I could get things so much cheaper. We're talking 10+ bags of groceries for $60, I mean who can argue those prices?
But we moved in May and while the grocery outlet is still within driving distance, it still takes me about 30 minutes one way. There's probably half a dozen grocery stores closer to me so while I do try to get there twice per month, it's not practical on a weekly basis. Thankfully, there is another discount grocery store VERY close to our new house.
Aldi. Ever heard of it?
I think I've fallen in love. For years I had seen bloggers spout their love for this store and now I live within 5 minutes. And NO, Aldi is not sponsoring this post - haha! 
Their prices on fresh fruit and vegetables just CAN'T be beat - especially in the winter when berries are out of season in our area. They had blackberries the other week on sale for $.79 per pint! Is it weird that I get excited on Wednesdays when they come out with the new ad for the week?
I usually buy 2 large bunches of bananas and about 4 pints of berries each week. I'm not even kidding you - I'm lucky if all that fruit lasts 3 days in this house!! I told the boys if they saved only 3 bananas, I'd make them a banana treat and they actually did. This Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is such a fun twist on a classic! The maraschino cherries give the bread a slight pink hue, perfect for a Valentine's Day treat as well. 

Cherry Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Yield: 2 loaves
Ingredients

• 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3 eggs
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
• 10 oz jar maraschino cherries, drained
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Cooking Directions

1. Place bananas in a large mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer until completely mashed. Add butter, eggs, and sugar, and beat until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, stir together flour and baking soda. Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and beat until well combined.
3. Add in drained cherries and beat again. Gently stir in chocolate chips.
4. Divide batter between two greased loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-55 minutes. Cool completely.

I really love recipes like this because you get two loaves out of one set of dirty dishes! This bread would be perfect for a bake sale or a hostess gift as well. Just wrap it up in some wax paper and tie some baker's twine around. Perfect and yummy!

Here are some more of my favorite banana treats:

Skinny Peanut Butter Banana Frozen Yogurt

Banana Walnut French Toast Casserole

Whole Wheat Banana Muffins

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