I’ve been thinking a lot about my sister lately.

My younger sibling, whom I adore (despite early indications to the contrary) loves coffee almost as much as I dislike it.

This week, with my sibling on my mind, I decided to do a little experimenting with our family’s favorite banana bread recipe. I gave our traditional loaf a younger, hipper, more interesting sister.

The recipe calls for lots of chocolate, a bit of coffee and a dash of cayenne pepper. I call it Hot Mocha Banana Bread, but I could have called it, I’m Going To Miss That Kid This Christmas Bread.

Usually this time of year, we are quintupling our banana bread recipe to give out mini loaves for the holidays. This year, half of those loaves will have a few secret ingredients, including a bit of one of these, which my mom often leaves at our house after a visit.

See how much I dislike coffee? My poor mother has to bring her own. No wonder she ‘s always liked my sister better …

Traditional Banana Bread

1 1/4 cups whole wheat pastry flour

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 /2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp grated nutmeg

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup evaporated cane juice

1 egg

1/4 cup applesauce

1/4 cup extra light olive oil

the scrapings of one vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

1 cup mashed bananas

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients until combined. In a separate bowl, blend bananas, sugars, egg, applesauce, vanilla bean and oil. Add wet to dry and mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips.

Bake in a well-oiled pan for 55 minutes to one hour, or in a cupcake tin for about 22 minutes.

Hot Mocha Banana Bread

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp baking powder

1 /2 tsp salt

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

2 tsp instant coffee

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup evaporated cane juice

1 egg

1/4 cup applesauce

1/4 cup extra light olive oil

the scrapings of one vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla extract)

1 cup mashed bananas

1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix dry ingredients until combined. In a separate bowl, blend bananas, sugars, egg, applesauce, vanilla bean and oil. Add wet to dry and mix until just combined. Fold in chocolate chips and walnuts.

Bake in a well-oiled pan for 55 minutes to one hour, or in a cupcake tin for about 22 minutes.

Merry Christmas to my Nashville family. Love you guys!!