Chocolate Banana Bread
A moist, decadent banana bread enhanced with natural cocoa powder and chocolate chips. Perfect for breakfast or dessert.
Ingredients
- 3 –4 overripe bananas
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1.5 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup natural cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x5-inch loaf pan with parchment.
- In a bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add eggs, vanilla, bananas, and sour cream.
- Whisk flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet until combined. Stir in ¾ cup chocolate chips.
- Pour batter into pan. Top with remaining chips.
- Bake 55–65 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Sinking Center: Ensure your baking soda is fresh (test with vinegar). Avoid opening the oven door during the first 40 minutes of baking.
- Dry Texture: Overmixing or overbaking are likely culprits. Use an oven thermometer to verify accuracy.
- Chocolate Chips Sinking: Toss chips in 1 tsp flour before folding into the batter.
Advanced Baking Science
- Banana Ripeness: The darker the peels, the more fructose and moisture they contribute. Freeze blackened bananas for future use.
- Cocoa Chemistry: Natural cocoa’s acidity reacts with baking soda for lift. Dutch-processed cocoa requires baking powder (not recommended here).
Creative Variations
- Holiday Twist: Add ½ tsp peppermint extract + crushed candy canes for Christmas.
- Savory-Sweet: Sprinkle flaky sea salt on top before baking.
- Caramel Swirl: Layer ¼ cup caramel sauce into the batter before baking.
Dietary Tweaks
- Sugar-Free: Substitute ⅔ cup coconut sugar or monk fruit blend (1:1 ratio).
- Nut-Free: Replace walnuts with sunflower seeds or omit entirely.
Serving & Pairing
- Warm: Serve with a dollop of mascarpone or tahini drizzle.
- Beverage Pairings: Cold milk, espresso, or a bold red wine like Malbec.
Leftover Magic
- French Toast: Dip slices in egg batter, pan-fry, and top with maple syrup.
- Bread Pudding: Cube stale bread, mix with custard, and bake at 375°F for 35 minutes.
Equipment Wisdom
- Loaf Pan: Use light-colored metal for even browning. Dark pans may require reducing temp to 325°F.
- Mixing Bowls: Glass or ceramic retains cold better, ideal for controlling butter temperature.