When life gives you overripe bananas, don’t think about tossing them. Pair them up with your favorite chocolate and turn the bananas into an incredible chocolate banana bread treat that’s impossible to resist!
Chocolate and bananas are a classic combo that never fails to impress. What makes this duo work so well is the way their flavors complement each other. Bananas, especially the overripe ones, bring a natural, caramel-like sweetness that cuts through the rich and intense chocolaty flavor without needing any extra sugar.
I have always loved making bread and chocolate desserts. So, whenever I find some ripe bananas that nobody seems to eat, I grab a chocolate bar from my kid’s stash and start baking the best chocolate banana bread!
Those bananas you usually toss out end up becoming the softest and most delicious treat everyone wants a piece of. Combined with chocolate pieces and a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips on top, today’s chocolate banana bread is a perfect balance of fruity sweetness and chocolaty richness!
How To Customize Your Double Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe?
Are kids constantly asking for something new to snack on? Today’s chocolate banana bread could be your all-in-one solution!
With this recipe as a starting point, you can customize it in so many ways just by simply tweaking the mix-ins and toppings. It’s the perfect base for exploring different flavors and giving your kids brand-new chocolate banana bread every time you try this recipe!
Here are some ideas you can try whenever you are feeling creative and in the mood for something fun, delicious, or healthy:
Nuts
With so many different types of nuts to choose from, you will never run out of options to customize your banana bread. Each nut brings a unique flavor and texture to the chocolate banana bread. Walnuts are a classic choice to use in banana bread for their slightly bitter taste that complements the bananas.
Pecans, on the other hand, come with a sweeter taste that has a buttery undertone, making them an excellent choice for the banana bread.
If you just want the crunch but don’t want the nutty flavor to overtake the banana or chocolate taste, almonds are a better option for you. For a warm and toasted flavor with an audible crunch, hazelnuts should be your go-to choice.
Don’t care much about the crunch? To just enjoy a creamy texture that melts in your mouth, minus the crunchiness, cashews are a perfect option to add in your chocolate banana bread.
Fruits
Whether you are looking for a way to add extra sweetness, moisture or nutrition, fruits bring them all to the table! I personally love the idea of adding fruits to my banana bread as they make it super soft that stays moist and delicious for days!
Both fresh and dried fruits bring unique textures and flavors to the chocolate banana bread. Fresh fruits like blueberries and raspberries add a burst of sweetness and a pop of vibrant colors that goes well with the dense texture of the bread. Apples, cut in small pieces, help add a slight crunch and mild sweetness that complement the richness of the chocolate.
You can also add pears, raspberries, and orange zest to bring extra texture and enhance the overall flavor of the bread.
Dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, chopped dates, cherries, and apricots offer a chewy texture and sweet flavor that pairs beautifully with the chocolate banana bread. To enjoy the dried fruits in their best forms, soak them in warm water for 15 minutes prior to mixing them in the batter.
Spice
Adding spice to the chocolate banana bread is an excellent way to introduce warmth and depth to the flavor. However, you need to be a bit cautious as some spices can overpower the original taste and make the bread too spicy or bitter.
When it comes to adding spices, always start with a teaspoon and gradually increase the amount to your taste. Spices like cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg are classic choices in baking and can be a nice addition to the chocolate banana bread as they bring a rich and slightly sweet flavor profile.
On the other hand, cloves and cardamoms are more of an acquired taste and should be used sparingly as they can quickly overpower the banana or chocolate flavor.
Healthy
Thinking hard about whether you should have a go at this yummy chocolate banana bread or opt for a healthier choice?
You don’t have to choose anymore- you can have both with just a few ingredients swap!
Starting with the flour, you can replace the all-purpose flour with a healthier whole wheat version. Whole wheat flour is enriched in fiber and essential nutrients that give your banana bread a wholesome boost while still keeping it delicious. For a heartier addition, you can include oats in the batter, adding an extra chewy texture to the bread and providing fiber for proper digestion.
If you have oil or butter restrictions in your diet, feel free to substitute Greek yogurt in this recipe. Greek yogurt is a great source of protein and helps keep the bread soft without adding extra fat. Instead of regular butter, consider using nut butter, such as almond or peanut butter, which contains healthy fats and protein.
Last but not least, I bet some of you have concerns over the amount of sugar used in this recipe! As sugar plays an essential role in maintaining the texture and flavor of the chocolate banana bread, I don’t recommend avoiding it altogether. However, you can cut back on the sugar by using natural alternatives, such as honey or maple syrup, that sweeten the bread without relying on refined sugar.
How To Ripe Bananas?
Do you need to bake this super-moist banana bread, but don’t have ripe bananas at home? There are a few ways you can ripen bananas to speed up the process. Here are some of the ways you can ripen bananas:
Use Microwave
If you are making banana bread right away, you can ripen the bananas in the microwave. Place the bananas in a microwave-safe bowl, then microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on how soft you want them.
Electric Oven
You can also use an electric oven to make this recipe. Place your yellow bananas on a baking sheet lined with foil or parchment paper and bake them at 350°F (180°C) for 10 to 15 minutes until soft or black from the outside. Let them cool down to room temperature before mashing bananas.
Paper Bag Method
If you have time to make this chocolate chip banana bread, then you can follow this paper bag method. For this natural process of ripening bananas, you can place bananas in a brown paper bag and fold them. To speed up the process, you can add an apple, tomato, or a ripe banana to the bag to release ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening.
Also, you can place the paper bag on the kitchen counter in a warm place or where you have direct sunlight; this will make the process even quicker.
Natural Method
To make the best banana bread, the simple method of ripening bananas is to let the banana ripen naturally. This process will take a few days. To do this, place your bananas in a warm place on a countertop and keep them away from direct sunlight. This process will take 3 to 5 days to be soft and have brown spots.
Chocolate Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients
For Dry Ingredients
- 1 / 180 g and 1/2 cup All-Purpose Flour
- ⅓ cup / 35 g Cocoa Powder
- ½ tsp / 3 g Salt
- 1 tsp / 4 g Baking Soda
- ½ tsp / 1 g Cinnamon Powder
For Wet Ingredients
- 3 large Bananas (Very Ripe)
- 2 medium-size Eggs
- 1 tsp / 5 ml Vanilla Essence
- ½ cup / 100 g Granulated Sugar
- ¼ cup / 55 g Brown Sugar
- ½ cup / 119 ml Oil
- ⅓ cup / 85 g Greek Yogurt
For Add-Ins and Greasing
- ½ cup / ½ cup Semi-Sweet Dark Chocolate (Chopped)
- ¼ cup / 45 g Mini Chocolate Chips
- Butter (For Greasing)
Equipments
- 9X5 Loaf Pan
Instructions
Prepare The Loaf Pan
- Take a 9×5-inch loaf pan and grease the bottom and sides of the pan with butter.
- Line the pan with parchment paper and press it firmly to make the paper stick. Keep the loaf pan aside for later use.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- Grab a mixing bowl and pour 1 and ½ cups of all-purpose flour into it.
- Add 1/3 cup of cocoa powder and ½ tsp of salt over the flour.
- Sprinkle 1 tsp of baking soda and ½ tsp of cinnamon powder into the bowl.
- Mix everything well with a whisk and keep the bowl aside.
Prepare Wet Ingredients
- Grab another bowl for the wet ingredients and 3 large overripe bananas.
- Mashed bananas thoroughly with a fork until smooth.
- Crack 2 medium-sized eggs into the mixing bowl.
- Stir in 1 tsp of vanilla essence for added flavor.
- Pour ½ cup of granulated sugar and ¼ cup of brown sugar into the bowl.
- Add ½ cup of oil and ⅓ cup of Greek yogurt to the mix.
- Whisk the ingredients together until it’s well combined.
Add Dry Ingredients, Chocolate and Toppings
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.
- Add ½ cup of chopped semi-sweet dark chocolate and whisk to combine everything until the mixture is smooth.
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan and sprinkle ¼ cup of mini chocolate chips on top.
Bake, Cool, and Serve
- Preheat the oven to 320 degrees Fahrenheit or 160 degrees Celsius and bake for about 65-75 minutes.
- Once baked, take the cake out of the oven and let it cool to room temperature.
- Carefully lift the cake out of the loaf pan using the parchment paper and place it on a chopping board.
- Slice the bread into thick pieces and enjoy the moist and delicious chocolate banana bread as a breakfast, snack, or dessert!
Video
What was once overripe and about to be thrown away has now turned out to be a delicious treat with the softest crumbles!
While overripe bananas don’t stay edible for much longer, chocolate banana bread stays delicious for up to 1 week if stored properly. The sweet combination of granulated sugar and brown sugar in this recipe gives the bread a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that leaves a lingering taste in your mouth. With Greek yogurt and oil in the mix, the bread stays tender for days, making the last bit of the slice as soft and delicious as the very first!
This chocolate banana bread is more than just a quick bread recipe; it’s the most straightforward and hearty treat you can have.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Use Frozen Bananas For This Banana Recipe?
Yes, frozen bananas are perfectly okay to use as long as you thaw them properly and drain the excess water before mashing them.
What Can I Use Instead Of Chocolate In This Recipe?
If you don’t want chocolate in your banana bread, you can omit this ingredient or replace it with nuts and dried fruits for extra taste and nutrition.
How To Reheat Frozen Chocolate Banana Bread Slices?
Thaw the chocolate banana bread slices for about 15 minutes. Then, microwave the slices or toast them slightly to enjoy a taste that’s just as fresh and delicious as the first day.
Can I Make This Super Moist Bread Gluten-Free?
To make chocolate banana bread gluten free, you can replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour.
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