Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe

I love adding my personal twist to a classic chocolate banana bread recipe. I mash ripe bananas and mix in cocoa powder and chocolate chips with melted butter, eggs, and a hint of vanilla extract. This moist, tender loaf is a refreshing spin on a favorite that always impresses.

I’m super excited to share my version of this Chocolate Banana Bread recipe that really surprised me with its awesome flavor twist. I started out with 3 ripe bananas mashed just right and mixed them with 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, a blend of granulated and brown sugar, plus 2 lightly beaten eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla extract.

When I stirred in 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour along with 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder, a teaspoon of baking soda and 1/2 teaspoon salt, I knew something cool was coming. Then adding 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips took it to the next level, reminding me of some famous recipes like the Low Calorie Chocolate Chip Banana Bread and a few others I’ve tried recently.

I gotta say, this recipe is a delicious twist on the best banana breads around, and I think you’ll love it too. Enjoy and have fun baking!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe for a few reasons. First, the cocoa powder and chocolate chips take the banana bread to a whole new level – it turns an ordinary banana bread into a dreamy, chocolaty treat that I just can’t get enough of. Second, even though it’s super easy to make, the bread comes out amazingly moist and tender every time; I’ve tried other recipes that ended up dry or tough, but this one’s always a winner. Lastly, I appreciate how forgiving the recipe is – even when I mess up a little or don’t measure things perfectly, it still turns out delicious. It’s like the recipe understands me!

Ingredients

• Bananas: offer fiber and natural sugars; they moisten bread and add subtle sweetness.
• Butter: gives rich taste and tender texture; it joins the mix well.
• Granulated Sugar: provides sweetness and helps browning while baking comfort food.
• Eggs: bind the batter, add protein and create a light crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: enhances flavors and smooths out ingredient complexities.
• Cocoa Powder: introduces rich chocolate flavor with slight bitter notes for balance.
• Chocolate Chips: provide melty chocolate bursts that create delightful pockets in every slice.

Ingredient Quantities

• 3 ripe bananas, mashed (about 1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a loaf pan with a little butter or line it with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, mix the mashed bananas with the melted butter until smooth.

3. Stir in the granulated sugar and brown sugar until they’re well combined with the banana mix.

4. Beat in the eggs lightly and then add the vanilla extract, mixing well after each addition.

5. In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt.

6. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Don’t overmix or the bread might turn out tough.

7. Fold in the semisweet chocolate chips evenly into the batter.

8. Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan, smoothing out the top with a spatula.

9. Bake in the preheated oven for about 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.

10. Let the bread cool in the pan for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Enjoy your chocolate banana bread!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated oven (set to 350°F)
2. Loaf pan (greased with butter or lined with parchment paper)
3. Large mixing bowl (for mashed bananas and melted butter)
4. Second bowl (for combining the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt)
5. Whisk or fork (to mix the dry ingredients)
6. Spatula (to fold in the chocolate chips and smooth out the batter)
7. Measuring cups and spoons (for all your ingredients)
8. Toothpick (to test if the bread is done)
9. Wire rack (for cooling the bread after baking)

FAQ

Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you dont have unsalted butter, you can use an equal amount of coconut oil or even olive oil in a pinch, though the flavor might be a bit different
• If your bananas arent as ripe as they should be, unsweetened applesauce can work as a substitute in equal measure, just know the taste will shift a little
• You can replace the granulated sugar and brown sugar combo with a mix of white sugar and a teaspoon or two of molasses to mimic that brown sugar richness
• For the semisweet chocolate chips, chopped dark chocolate or even white chocolate chips can be a cool alternative if you want to mix things up

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your bananas are really ripe and mushy before mashing; this gives the bread a sweeter flavor and keeps it moist.
2. When adding the dry ingredients, mix them in gently so you dont overwork the batter, this helps the bread stay light and not turn out too dense.
3. If you have time, let the batter sit for about 10 minutes before baking – this can help the flavors meld and the texture improve.
4. Always check your bread a few minutes before the timer goes off with a toothpick, oven temperatures can vary and you might avoid drying it out by pulling it out a bit earlier.