A yummy banana bread filled with chocolate chunks.
I always think of banana bread as a sort of comfort food. This super chocolaty banana bread takes it to the next level. I mean, sure you can add chocolate chips and call it a day, but why not really load it up inside and on top to make it even more decadent?
I’m not going to lie, this is a basic banana bread recipe, but what makes it a Super Chocolaty Banana Bread is the variation of chocolates used, and more importantly the size of pieces used. I think it makes the texture perfect for mixing in and sprinkling on top.
Ingredients
Gluten-Free Flour – Make sure your gluten-free flour has xanthan gum in it. You can sub in regular all-purpose flour if desired.
Baking Powder
Salt
Sugar – Regular granulated sugar
Egg – Large egg
Mashed Banana – Approximately 2 medium bananas
Milk – You can use regular or non-dairy milk.
Oil – Vegetable, Canola, or Coconut Oil can be used.
Instant Espresso Powder (Optional) – Enhances the chocolate flavor but doesn’t make it taste like coffee.
Chocolate – Use good quality chocolate or chocolate chips. If using a chocolate bar, cut into slivers, large and medium size chunks.
The Chocolate
I like to use a mixture of chocolate, dark and milk are my favorite, but you can also use semi-sweet and dark. If you are lucky to have a Trader Joe’s nearby I recommend getting some of their pound plus chocolate. Imported chocolate from Belgium is just dreamy to use in a recipe. For those who are dairy free I also have used the Enjoy Life brand of chocolate chips and they have worked just as well.
The trick to the chocolate is to chop it up in various sizes, it’s easier to do with the Trader Joe’s chocolate or any chocolate bar. Try to have three sizes if you are using a chocolate bar, large, medium, small and all the little shards and slivers from the chopping.
This super chocolaty banana bread is perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. Of course, it’s perfect afternoon snack, but if you want to indulge at breakfast I wouldn’t judge you.
Storage Tips
Store covered at room temperature for 3-4 days.
Super Chocolaty Banana Bread
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour or Gluten-free flour
- 1 tsp Xanthan gum (See Note) use only if using GF flour doesn't have it already added
- 2 1/2 tsp Baking powder
- 1/2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 cup Sugar
- 1 Large Egg, lightly beaten
- 1 cup Mashed Banana about 2 medium
- 1/2 cup Milk non-dairy can be substituted
- 1/3 cup Vegetable or Canola Oil
- 1 heaping Tbsp Instant espresso powder optional
- 1 1/4 cups Chopped mixed chocolate, or chocolate chips any combo of milk, dark, semisweet
- 1 tbsp Flour GF if using that
- 1/2 cup Chopped mixed chocolate chunks or chocolate chips for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 loaf pan or line with parchment paper.
- Grab 1 1/4 cup combination of whatever chocolate you prefer, dark, semi-sweet, or milk chocolate bars or chips. Rough chop until you have large and small chunks, and slivers of chocolate add to a bowl and mix. Or if you are using chocolate chips simply add to a bowl and mix the different chocolates. Remove a 1/2 cup of the chocolate (for the topping) and set aside in a separate bowl. (Do not add flour to this bowl)To the bowl of remaining chocolate add 1 Tbsp of flour (to prevent chocolate from sinking to the bottom), mix and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the first 4 ingredients (plus xanthan gum if needed)
- In a seperate bowl add egg, mashed banana, milk and oil.
- Add egg mixture to dry ingredients, stirring until moistened.
- Stir in 3/4 cup of the mixed chocolate that's been mixed with flour.
- Place in greased loaf pan.
- Sprinkle the top with an additional 1/2 cup chopped mixed chocolate chunks and shavings. (optional)
- Bake at 350F for approx 1 hour or until tester comes out clean.
- If chocolate starts to brown or burn cover loosely with aluminum foil and continue baking until done.
- Cool in pan 10 min, then remove to cooling rack to finish cooling.
