PUMPKANA

Pumpkin + Banana Walnut Chocolate Bread = Pumpkana.

After toying around with variations of my hubby's (almost) famous banana bread recipe, I created what I believe to be hands-down the tastiest treat of the season. Who knew all it would take would be a little woman's touch.

1. Take 1/2 unsalted butter and 2 eggs out of your fridge (only need 1/2 stick) and microwave the butter for 10 seconds. Leave the butter in a bowl. Crack the eggs in a separate bowl.

2. Sift 1 1/4 cups of flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Set it aside.

3. Toast 1/2 cup of roughly chopped walnuts until they're no longer golden brown. (I like mine a little burnt.)

4. Mash 2 really ripe bananas (brown & freckled) with a fork and add 1/2 cup of pumpkin puree (altogether roughly 1 cup).

5. Add 1/2 white sugar and 1/2 cup of really good maple syrup to butter and mix until smooth.

6. Add 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract to eggs and whisk.

7. Add 4, 5 and 6 into the flour mixture and mix with a spatula until appears to be curdled.

8. Throw in the walnuts and semi-sweet chocolate chips (chop them more if you want smaller chunks) and fold them in and blend well into the mixture.

9. Grease 3 mini loaf pans with olive oil. Place mixture into a loaf pan and bake for 35 min at 350F.

The smell alone is worth it!