Get ready to enjoy our irresistible Chocolate Banana Bread recipe, made from scratch! This recipe turns a classic favorite into something truly special: The richness of chocolate, combined with the sweetness of ripe bananas, makes for a treat that is both comforting and indulgent. If you’re looking for a way to spice up banana bread or simply want to try out a new chocolate recipe, this one is sure to become a favorite.
Banana bread recipe origins
Banana bread has a long history, dating back to the Caribbean. However, during the Great Depression, households in the United States found ways to make the most of their limited ingredients. One way was to use overripe bananas in a new kind of bread called “banana bread”.
By the early 1930s, banana bread recipes had become commonplace in cookbooks, appearing in publications from Better Homes and Gardens to Pillsbury Flour. The recipes used mashed bananas as the main ingredient rather than banana slices as a garnish. This simple recipe incorporated basic ingredients such as flour, sugar, butter and eggs. As the recipe gained popularity, variations began to emerge, incorporating additional ingredients such as nuts, spices and chocolate. Today, banana bread has become a staple in American baking and a beloved comfort food.
What is the best chocolate for banana bread?
Chocolate is a popular addition to banana bread. Most recipes include either semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, which provides a balanced sweetness and rich flavor to complement the natural sweetness of the bananas.
To add chocolate to your banana bread, you can use chocolate chips, chopped chocolate bars or cocoa powder. If using chocolate chips, choose ones that are high quality and made specifically for baking. For chopped chocolate, choose a brand or type that you enjoy eating on its own because this will contribute to the overall flavor of your bread. If using cocoa powder, make sure it is unsweetened and 100% pure cocoa.
We recommend using dark chocolate in banana bread. The best choice is high-quality dark chocolate with a cocoa content of 60% or higher. This ensures a rich, deep chocolate flavor that pairs well with the sweetness of bananas. If you want to intensify the chocolate flavor in your banana bread, consider using darker chocolate with a higher cocoa percentage, such as 70% or even 85%. This will give your banana bread a pronounced chocolate taste.
Feel free to experiment with different brands and cocoa percentages until you find one that suits your personal preference.
Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- 2 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 3/4 cup coconut sugar (or raw or brown sugar)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (semi-sweet or dark)
Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan, then set it aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed bananas, olive oil, coconut sugar, milk, eggs, apple cider vinegar and vanilla extract. Stir until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the banana mixture, stirring just until combined. Be careful not to overmix.
- Gently fold in the chocolate chips. If you want to sprinkle some on top, reserve a few.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it evenly.
- If desired, sprinkle some additional chocolate chips on top of the batter.
- Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Remove the banana bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Once cooled, slice and enjoy your homemade Chocolate Banana Bread!
Give this recipe a try. You’ll love the heavenly aroma that fills your kitchen as it bakes, and with its irresistible taste and simple preparation, this Chocolate Banana Bread will undoubtedly become one of your favorites.
We hope you enjoyed this article. For more great recipes, check out the rest of our CocoTerra blog.
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