Linda’s Chocolate Friendship Bread

My niece Linda is such a gracious hostess. She served this bread when she had her aunts and uncles over for Christmas last year. I am still raving about it and am grateful she shared this recipe with me.

1¾ cups sugar, divided

3 teaspoons cinnamon, divided

1 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 large eggs, slightly beaten

½ teaspoon salt

2½ cups all-purpose flour

½ teaspoon baking soda

1½ teaspoons baking powder

1 large (5.9-ounce) package chocolate instant pudding and pie filling mix

1¼ cups milk

1 cup pecans, chopped, optional

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate or peanut butter chips, optional

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour two 9 × 5-inch loaf pans. Mix ¼ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cinnamon together in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the mix in the bottom of each pan.

In a large bowl combine the remaining 1 ½ cups sugar with the remaining 2 teaspoons cinnamon, oil, vanilla extract, beaten eggs, salt, flour, baking soda, baking powder, chocolate instant pudding mix, and milk. Stir together until smooth. Add chopped pecans and chocolate chips, if using. Divide between the prepared pans. Sprinkle the remaining sugar-cinnamon mix over the top. Bake for 1 hour. Cool for 10 minutes. Remove to a serving plate. Cool and wrap in plastic wrap. This freezes well.

Makes 16 to 20 servings.