Banana-Pear Bread

 This is such a treat! The bread is beyond delicious and so very moist. You can add chocolate chips or leave them out. Both versions are super yummy. Also, being from Europe, I grew up with vanilla sugar, that's added to pretty much every dessert. It adds an extra kick of flavor. You can find it in pretty much any European store. However, the recipe is totally fine without it. So don't stress over it. :) Enjoy!

Recipe yields two large loaves

Ingredients:

-1 cup (2 sticks) salted butter, at room temperature

-2 large eggs

-2 cups sugar

-2/3 cup sour cream

-4 very ripe bananas

-2 pears, cored and cut into chunks

-2 tsp vanilla extract

-2 envelopes vanilla sugar, optional

-1/4 tsp baking soda

-1/2 tsp nutmeg

-1 tsp cinnamon

-2 tsp baking powder

-3 1/2 cups flour

-1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, optional

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat the bottom and sides of 2 large loaves with the baking spray (the one with flour and butter). Set aside.

Cream the butter, eggs, and sugar. Once nice and smooth, add the sour cream, chunks of the peeled bananas, and pears. Mix very well. Stir in the vanilla and vanilla sugar, if using. Add the baking soda, nutmeg, cinnamon, baking powder, and flour, half of cup at the time. Once well mixed, stir in the chocolate chips, if using. 

Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans.

Bake in preheated oven for 65 minutes or until the toothpick comes out clean.

Cool in pan for 10 minutes. Remove from pan and cool completely on wire rack. Slice and enjoy! YUM!