Treat yourself to this decadent, delicious Chocolate Banana Bread! This scrumptious chocolate quick bread is loaded with the best chocolate-banana flavor, quick and easy to make, and totally irresistible!
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Looking for a way to use up some ripe bananas? Love chocolate?
Then you need to try this Chocolate Banana Bread. Bananas and chocolate are natural partners, and this crave-worthy quick bread is super moist, plus so rich and fudgy tasting that you won't be able to resist reaching for an extra slice (or two)!
Best of all, it couldn't be easier to make!
Ready to start baking? Then just keep scrolling for all the details ... you'll be ready to enjoy this sweet treat before you know it.
Ingredients
The nice thing about this easy Banana and Chocolate Loaf is that you probably already have most of the ingredients in your pantry! Here's what you'll need:
- Bananas - There's no better way to use up overripe bananas! For best results, make sure to let your bananas turn completely brown before making this recipe. You'll need one cup mashed, which is about two medium-sized bananas.
- Chocolate - This recipe uses a combination of unsweetened cocoa powder and dark chocolate chunks or chips for a super chocolatey loaf. I used natural cocoa powder and chopped up a Lindt candy bar for the chunks.
- Other Ingredients - Along with these two key ingredients, you'll use a combination of typical baking supplies: unsalted butter, granulated sugar, all-purpose flour, baking soda and baking powder, vanilla extract, eggs, and salt.
Tip: Because the ingredients are so basic, make sure everything you use is high quality. You'll really be able to taste the difference!
You'll Also Need
To make this recipe, you'll need stand mixer or a hand mixer to blend the wet ingredients, a spatula to fold in the dry ingredients and chocolate (these silicon spatulas are the best!), and a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan to bake the bread. I used a glass loaf pan, but a metal pan would also work great.
How to Make Chocolate Banana Bread
This recipe couldn't be easier to prepare! You'll find a detailed, printable recipe at the end of the post, but here's a quick overview of the steps:
- Mix butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and bananas. You'll start by creaming together the butter and sugar, then mix in the eggs and vanilla extract. Then stir in the mashed bananas. Don't worry if the mixture looks a little grainy at this point!
- Add the dry ingredients. Next, you'll whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then fold that mixture into the butter mixture until mostly combined. It's best to do this using a spatula, and to avoid over mixing, don't combine everything completely. There should still be flour visible.
- Fold in the chocolate. Use your spatula to fold in the chocolate. Again, don't over mix! It's okay to leave a few small spots of flour.
- Transfer batter to a bread pan. Spread the batter in your bread pan. You can top the batter with few chocolate chunks or chips too, if you'd like.
- Bake the bread. It should take about 45 to 50 minutes. You'll know it's done when a toothpick inserted in the center of the loaf comes out mostly clean.
And that's all there is to it! Try to let the finished Banana Chocolate Bread cool for at least 20 minutes before digging in ... if you can resist!
Variations
This yummy recipe is pretty straightforward, but here are a few simple ways to change it up if you'd like to experiment!
- Nuts - This loaf would be super delicious with nuts (such as chopped walnuts, pecans, or even peanuts) added. Stir in ½ to 1 cup along with the chocolate.
- Chocolate - Speaking of chocolate, this is one ingredient you can really get creative with. I used chocolate chunks (from a bar), but chocolate chips would also work great. And everything from milk to dark chocolate (or even white chocolate) will work.
- Peanut Butter - Are you a peanut butter + chocolate lover? Replace some (or all) of the chocolate chunks / chips with peanut butter chips. Yum!
- Spices - You could also change up the flavor profile by adding warm spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, or nutmeg. For a spicy twist, try adding a little chili powder or a dash of cayenne.
Storage
Store leftover Double Chocolate Banana Bread in an airtight container—like a zip top bag or a storage container with a lid—to preserve its freshness. It should keep for a couple days on your counter or up to a week in the refrigerator ... although I doubt it will last that long!
You can also freeze this bread with excellent results. In fact, I sometimes make a double batch just to save a loaf for later!
I recommend freezing the whole loaf in a zip top bag. However, you can also freeze individual slices on parchment paper, then transfer them to an airtight container once they're frozen, if you prefer.
Related Recipes
Looking for similar quick bread recipes? Try one of these delicious treats next:
- Strawberry Banana Bread
- Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
- Coconut Banana Bread
- Blueberry Banana Bread
- Beer Bread
- Coffee Cake Muffins
- Rhubarb Quick Bread
Chocolate Banana Bread
Ingredients
- nonstick cooking spray
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- ⅔ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup chocolate chunks or chips
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 5-inch loaf pan with nonstick cooking spray; set aside.
- Mix butter and sugar until light and fluffy, using a stand mixer (or hand mixer).
- Add eggs and vanilla; mix until fully incorporated.
- Stir in bananas by hand.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, salt, baking soda, and baking powder.
- Using a spatula, gently fold flour into butter mixture. Do not overmix; there should still be a little flour visible when you are done.
- Add chocolate chunks / chips to batter, then gently fold in with spatula.
- Transfer batter to loaf pan; top with a few extra chocolate chunks / chips, if desired. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean.
- Cool bread before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
I love the abundance of cocoa powder. Delicious!
I substituted 1/2 cup of applesauce for half the butter. Moist and yummy.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the banana bread, Dori! 🙂