Who doesn’t love chocolate? And bananas? Now imagine them together in a soft, warm slice of Double Chocolate Banana Bread. This recipe is one of my favorites to bake when I have ripe bananas lying around and a serious chocolate craving. It’s chocolatey, moist, and has the perfect balance of healthy and delicious. Whether you’re new to baking or already a kitchen whiz, this recipe is super easy and fun to make!
Method
Preheat and Prepare the Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This gives your oven enough time to get nice and hot while you mix up your batter. While it’s heating, grab your loaf pan and line it with parchment paper. This step is important because it keeps the banana bread from sticking to the pan, and it also makes it super easy to lift out once it’s baked.
Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, begin by peeling your ripe bananas and mashing them with a fork until they’re smooth and a little chunky. That’s where the banana flavor really shines through. To the mashed bananas, add your milk (I used almond milk), vanilla extract, and eggs. Use a whisk or fork to combine everything until it’s well mixed and a little frothy. This is the base of your wet ingredients, and it helps keep your bread soft and moist.
Add and Mix the Dry Ingredients
Next, it’s time to bring in the dry ingredients. In the same bowl, sprinkle in your almond flour, cacao powder, gluten-free flour, sugar, and baking powder. With a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones. Here’s the trick don’t overmix! Mix only until you don’t see streaks of flour anymore. Overmixing can make your bread dense and heavy, and we want it to be light and fluffy!
Pour the Batter and Top with Chocolate
Now that your batter is ready, pour it into the prepared loaf pan. Use your spatula to spread it evenly and smooth out the top. This helps it bake evenly. Then, take your chocolate chips or chunks and sprinkle them all over the top. Don’t be shy this is the “double chocolate” part that makes it extra rich and tasty!
Bake the Banana Bread
Carefully place your loaf pan into the preheated oven and set a timer for 45 minutes. Baking time may vary a bit depending on your oven, so I recommend checking it around the 40-minute mark. To test if it’s done, poke a toothpick or thin skewer into the center of the loaf. If it comes out clean or with just a bit of melted chocolate, it’s ready to come out!
Cool Before Slicing
Once the banana bread is done baking, take it out of the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10–15 minutes. Then, use the parchment paper to lift it out and let it cool completely on a wire rack or a plate. This cooling step helps the bread set, so it slices perfectly. If you cut it while it’s too hot, it might fall apart or feel gummy in the center so patience pays off here!
Necessary Tools
- Mixing bowls (one large, one medium)
- Whisk or fork
- Spatula or wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Loaf pan
- Parchment paper
- Oven
Double Chocolate Banana Breads
Cuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy8
servings10
minutes45
minutes55
minutesIngredients
1 cup almond flour
1/4 cup cacao powder (you can use cocoa powder too)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (I used Bob’s Red Mill 1:1 gluten-free flour)
1/2 cup granulated sugar (I used coconut sugar)
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup milk (I used almond milk)
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 ripe bananas
2 eggs
1/2 cup chocolate chips or chunks
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your loaf pan with parchment paper so the bread doesn’t stick.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the milk, vanilla extract, mashed bananas, and eggs.
- Add the dry ingredients (almond flour, cacao powder, gluten-free flour, sugar, and baking powder) into the same bowl. Stir until everything is just mixed. Don’t overmix!
- Pour the batter into the loaf pan. Smooth the top with your spatula.
- Sprinkle chocolate chips or chunks on top for extra yum.
- Bake in the oven for about 45 minutes. You can check if it’s done by poking a toothpick into the center if it comes out clean (or with just a little chocolate), it’s ready!
- Let it cool for a bit before slicing. Then dig in and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t overmix the batter or the bread can turn out dense instead of fluffy. Mix just until everything comes together.
- Make sure your bananas are super ripe (brown spots are good!) they make the bread sweeter and moisture.
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Ovens can be different, so start checking at the 40 minute mark to avoid overbaking.
- Let the bread cool before slicing cutting it too soon can make it crumble.
Serving Suggestions
- Warm it up and spread a little almond butter or peanut butter on top.
- Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want dessert vibes.
- Perfect with a glass of cold milk or a cozy mug of hot cocoa.
- Great for school lunchboxes or afternoon snacks!
Fun Fact
Bananas aren’t just yummy they’re also full of potassium, which helps your muscles and heart. And did you know cacao has more antioxidants than blueberries? This bread is like a tasty superhero!
Conclusion
Double Chocolate Banana Bread is one of those recipes that looks fancy but is secretly simple. It’s perfect for using up bananas, sneaking in some healthy ingredients, and of course, satisfying those chocolate cravings. I love making this on the weekend and enjoying it all week long. Try it out and let me know how your loaf turns out!
Happy baking!
