Description
This delicious chocolate banana bread combines the rich flavors of ripe bananas and cocoa for a moist, tender loaf that’s perfect for breakfast or a sweet snack. Enhanced with optional semi-sweet chocolate chips, this easy-to-make bread is baked to perfection for a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Banana Mixture
- 3 ripe bananas, thoroughly mashed
- 1/3 cup melted unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- A small pinch of salt
Dry Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Other Ingredients
- 1 large egg, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×5-inch loaf pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Bananas and Butter: In a large bowl, combine the mashed bananas with the melted unsalted butter. Stir until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Add Vanilla, Baking Soda, and Salt: Stir in the pure vanilla extract, baking soda, and a pinch of salt until evenly mixed throughout the banana mixture.
- Incorporate Sugar and Egg: Add the granulated sugar and lightly beaten egg into the mixture, stirring until all the ingredients are fully integrated.
- Fold in Dry Ingredients: Slowly fold the all-purpose flour and unsweetened cocoa powder into the banana mixture, being careful not to overwork the batter to keep it tender.
- Add Chocolate Chips: If using, gently fold in the semi-sweet chocolate chips for extra bursts of chocolate in the loaf.
- Transfer to Loaf Pan: Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, spreading it out evenly and smoothing the top for uniform baking.
- Bake: Place the loaf pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50 to 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the bread is cooked through.
- Cool: Remove from oven and let the bread cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure bananas are very ripe for maximum sweetness and moisture.
- Do not overmix the batter once dry ingredients are added to avoid dense bread.
- Check for doneness with a toothpick inserted in the center; moisture on it means more baking time is needed.
- Using parchment paper makes removing the bread from the pan easier.
- The chocolate chips are optional but add a nice texture and flavor contrast.
- Store leftover bread in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
