Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Cake with Walnuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour an 8-inch round or square cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Prepare the Wet Ingredients:
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. Add the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, vanilla extract, and brown sugar. Mix until everything is well combined.

Mix the Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the oats, whole wheat flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.

Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the cake dense.

Add the Walnuts and Chocolate Chips:
Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and chocolate chips, if using. You can also reserve a handful of walnuts to sprinkle on top before baking.

Bake the Cake:
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and spread it evenly. Top with any remaining walnuts. Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

Cool and Serve:
Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely. Slice and serve!

Serving and Storage Tips: