Chocolate Banana Bread
This chocolate banana bread is reminiscent of the most moist and rich chocolate cake, with a hint of banana. It is fudgy, moist and delicious. The double chocolate is what puts it over the top! Rich cocoa powder and good quality semi-sweet chocolate chips for the win. If you have a chocolate lover in the family then this super chocolatey banana bread will fulfil their chocolate dreams.
Though you might think that the deep chocolate flavor would overpower the banana flavor, I do not find this to be the case. Just make sure you are using very very ripe bananas. Under ripe bananas will not give you the banana flavor needed to compete with the rich chocolate.
What you need for Chocolate Banana Bread:
The ingredients for chocolate banana bread are pretty basic banana bread ingredients with the addition of cocoa powder and some hot water to bloom the cocoa powder. Other than that it is the usual suspects.
- All purpose flour- I know that it doesn’t seem like a lot of flour, and you’re right, it’s not. But with the addition of cocoa powder, and the bananas there is sufficient batter for a nice moist banana bread.
- Granulated Sugar- just the right amount. With the addition of chocolate chips and cocoa powder, you don’t need a lot.
- Eggs- 2 lg room temperature eggs
- Butter- Creaming softened butter with sugar provides a good base for this chocolate banana bread.
- Cocoa powder- just enough to bring that rich chocolate flavor we love.
- Hot water- the addition of hot water adds moisture but more importantly, it BLOOMS the cocoa powder, giving it a more intense flavor.
- Vanilla- brings all the flavors forward
- Ripe Bananas- the more ripe the better!
- Salt- to counterbalance the sweet loaf I like to use Sea Salt
- Chocolate Chips- I like semi sweet in this loaf
- Leavening agent- Baking soda
Chocolate Banana Bread
Equipment
- 1 9×5" loaf pan
- 1 stand or hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1`¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp sea salt
- 1 cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips, divided divide into ¾ and ¼ cup
- ½ cup room temperature butter, unsalted
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 4 medium bananas (very ripe), mashed about 1.5 cups
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ cup hot water
Instructions
- preheat oven to 350℉ (convection bake if you have it)
- Spray loaf pan with non-stick spray on bottom and sides and set aside.
- In a medium bowl combine, 1`¼ cups all-purpose flour, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp sea salt and ¾ cup Semi-sweet chocolate chips, stir and set aside
- In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment (or in a bowl with a hand mixer) cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- On medium speed, add in eggs, one at a time, mixing between each addition, then add the mashed bananas and 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Add the dry ingredients and the ¼ cup hot water to the wet and mix on low until just combined (do not over mix)
- Pour mixture into the prepared loaf pan and spread evenly. Then take the remaining ¼ cup of chocolate chips and sprinkle them in a line down the center of the loaf.
- Bake at 350℉ for 60 minutes. Check with a tester or toothpick for doneness. The banana bread is done when the tester comes out clean.
- Place on a cooling rack in the loaf pan to cool for 30 minutes (minimum) to an hour before turning it out of the rack to cool completely.
- Let the loaf cool completely before slicing (2 hours total). Slice and enjoy.
- This moist loaf will last in a covered container on the counter for up to 4 days or in the refrigerator for 1 week. Alternatively, it can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Notes
If you are a banana bread lover AND a chocolate lover, then this chocolate banana bread is sure to delight. Made with over ripe bananas and cocoa it’s the best of both worlds. Even though the chocolate flavor is strong, you can still taste the banana. Using extra ripe, literally black bananas will definitely yield the most banana flavor, if you just want a hint then just ripe bananas will work as well.
If you are more of a traditional banana bread lover then give my The Easiest Banana Bread or my Blueberry Banana Bread a try. They’re both delicious.