There’s something magical about the combination of chocolate and bananas, and this Chocolate Banana Bread brings that delightful duo together in a moist, decadent loaf. Perfect for breakfast, a snack, or dessert, this recipe is a favorite in many households.
Ingredients
Scale:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (optional)
3 ripe bananas for baking (mashed, about 1 ½ cups)
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ cup brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (melted) or a vegan alternative
2 large eggs (or flax eggs for vegan option)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup dark chocolate chunks
½ cup chopped nuts (optional, for added texture)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, mix together all the dry ingredients: flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Set this mixture aside.
In a large bowl, mash the ripe bananas until smooth. You can use a fork, potato masher, or even an electric mixer for a quick mash.
Add the granulated sugar, brown sugar, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract to the mashed bananas. Whisk together until everything is well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to a dense loaf.
Fold in the dark chocolate chunks and nuts if desired, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the center; it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
Once baked, remove from the oven and allow the bread to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
