Combine a craving for something sweet along with a need to get rid of some random leftovers, and you just might surprise yourself with something delicious.

Case in point: This chocolate peanut butter banana bread, which I stumbled across while trying to find a recipe to use up some some over-ripened bananas and expired buttermilk.

As it turned out, however, the buttermilk was too far gone. It had completely separated into curds and whey, so I MacGyvered some makeshift buttermilk from whipping cream and vinegar (click here for directions) and ended up leaving out the oil from the original recipe.

When the timer went off, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d see when I opened the oven. But, oddly enough, it worked — and it worked well. Although I can’t take too much credit because the combination of chocolate-peanut butter anything is pretty hard to beat…

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bread 

(Recipe adapted from Kitchen Meets Girl)

Ingredients:

• 5 tablespoons peanut butter
• 5 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 medium ripe bananas, sliced
• 1 large egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup buttermilk

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. In a microwave-safe bowl, combine peanut butter and chocolate chips. Microwave on high until melted, about 30 seconds; stir.
3. Combine butter, brown sugar and banana in a large bowl, and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until well combined. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl. With the mixer running at low speed, add the flour mixture and the buttermilk alternately to banana mixture. Mix until just combined.
5. Pour half of the batter into a greased 9×5 inch loaf pan. Top with peanut butter mixture, and spread the remaining batter over the top. Using a knife, gently swirl the batter.
6. Bake for 55 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes in the pan on a wire rack. Remove the bread from the pan, and allow to cool completely before cutting.

Here’s a look at the process, starting with the melted peanut butter and chocolate chips.

Just try to resist scooping spoonfuls straight from the bowl…

Once the batter’s done, you’re ready to layer it in the loaf pans with the chocolate-peanut butter mixture.

Here’s what it looks like before you pop it in the oven.

And, voilà! Banana-y, chocolate-y, peanut butter-y goodness — best served warm.

Do you have any favorite recipes to help you use up leftover items in the fridge? And do you have any substitution success (or horror) stories?