Decadent Chocolate Banana Bread
Rich chocolate melds with soft, ripe bananas to create a luscious and comforting treat. This Chocolate Banana Bread is perfect for breakfast, snacks, or dessert and comes together quickly with simple ingredients.
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk
- Loaf pan 9x5 inches
- Rubber spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
For the Bread
- 3 ripe bananas about 1 ½ cups mashed
- ⅓ cup melted butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch salt
- ¾ cup sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup chocolate chips optional
Instructions
Prepare the Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Greasing the loaf pan with a bit of butter or non-stick spray ensures a smooth release later.
Mash the Bananas
- In a large mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until smooth. The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the bread.
- Tip: Look for bananas with lots of brown spots for optimal sweetness.
Mix in the Wet Ingredients
- Add the melted butter to the mashed bananas and stir until combined. Incorporate the beaten egg and vanilla extract, blending well to create a lovely, glossy mixture.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the baking soda, salt, sugar, flour, and cocoa powder. This process aerates the dry mix and combines flavors beautifully.
- Tip: Sifting the cocoa powder can enhance the texture and mix even more uniformly.
Bring It All Together
- Fold the dry ingredients into the banana mixture using a rubber spatula. Stir until just combined; don't overmix! If desired, gently fold in the chocolate chips for an extra decadent touch.
Pour into Loaf Pan
- Pour the batter into your greased loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Tip: Tap the pan lightly on the counter to release any air bubbles.
Bake to Perfection
- Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover it lightly with foil.
Notes
Pro Tips for Chocolate Banana Bread
Let the bananas get as brown as possible for the best flavor. Always measure your flour correctly to avoid a dense loaf. Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing. Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap to keep it moist.
Let the bananas get as brown as possible for the best flavor. Always measure your flour correctly to avoid a dense loaf. Use room temperature ingredients for even mixing. Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Wrap any leftovers in plastic wrap to keep it moist.