Chocolate Banana Bread is a soft, banana bread recipe that is the perfect balance of banana and chocolate. Loaded with chocolate chips, this is CRAZY good!!
So yep, here we are today with another banana bread recipe!! I just can’t get enough! I have so many variations already on the site, like my favorite Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, my Toasted Coconut Banana Bread, and most recently my Banana Muffins!
Chocolate Banana Bread is the perfect combination of chocolate and banana. The balance between the two flavors in my recipe is outstanding! It took me a few tries to get it quite right, because I either ended up with bread that tasted just like chocolate cake (not that that’s bad) OR a barely there chocolate flavor with too much banana. BUT I was able to find the perfect balance in this recipe that I am sharing today! Essentially it’s a DOUBLE Chocolate Banana Bread because I did add some chocolate chips…because why not?!
This banana bread is soft and tender, while still being slightly dense and CRAZY moist! I used sour cream in this recipe, which is one of my favorite tricks to make mine extra delicious!
Baking Instructions:
I have a formula down when it comes to making banana bread, and it has served me well. Today’s recipe is no different.
- I always use butter for favor and texture. Oil is also fine in banana bread, but I like the slightly denser texture that butter gives the bread.
- Sour cream! So using sour cream gives extra moisture but also bakes very well, making the banana bread rich but also fluffy!
- I use sliced bananas, which is my special trick, but in this recipe, I mashed them This is because the slices of bananas, while delicious, would leave white “lumps” in the bread, and in contrast to the dark color of this chocolate version it isn’t an entirely appetizing look.
- Adding extra chocolate chips really makes this next level. You can certainly omit them, but then we can’t be friends.
How To Store…
Of course this banana bread is MAJOR when it’s warm, but it’s also equally delicious the next day! When it sits overnight this chocolate banana bread gets a little denser and more fudgy. It is seriously as amazing the next day as it is the day you bake it, and I don’t feel that way about a lot of baked treats!
Can You Freeze This Chocolate Banana Bread?
Yes, absolutely! Allow the bread to cool completely and then wrap it in plastic wrap, and place it in a large zip-top bag, or wrap again in foil. It will be fine in the freezer for 1-2 months like this. When you’re ready to enjoy, let it thaw out completely and enjoy!
What Else Can You Add?
I added chocolate chips to mine to really amp up the chocolate flavor, BUT you can get creative with this recipe! Add in:
- Walnuts
- Chopped Peanut Butter Cups
- White Chips
- Candied Pecans
- Chopped Oreos
Like this recipe? Try these:
PrintChocolate Banana Bread
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: serves 10 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Dessert
Description
This Chocolate Banana Bread is the perfect balance of chocolate and bananas. A guaranteed favorite!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, room temperature
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9×5 loaf pan with nonstick spray. Line the bottom and up the short ends of the pan with parchment paper and coat again with nonstick spray. Set aside.
- In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment combine the butter and sugar together on medium speed for 2 minutes.
- Add in the eggs, vanilla, sour cream, baking soda, salt, and cocoa powder. Mix for 1 minute until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as necessary.
- Mix in the bananas until incorporated.
- Turn the mixer to low and add in flour, mixing until just combined.
- Stir in the chocolate chips.
- Spread the batter into the prepared pan and top with extra chocolate chips if desired.
- Bake for 60 minutes, or until center is set and a toothpick comes out clean.
- Allow to cool in the pan for 20 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Store airtight for up to 3 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 389
- Sugar: 31.4 g
- Sodium: 270.9 mg
- Fat: 18.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 53.2 g
- Protein: 6.5 g
- Cholesterol: 65.6 mg
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I don’t have sour cream. Can I use 1/2 cup of fat free greek yogurt? Will it still be as good?
Or should I simply omit that ingredient?
Definitely don’t omit it! I think it will be fine!
This is the 6th time I’m making this. My husband loves it and always asks me to make it. He’s a chocolate cake and banana bread lover and he said it’s the best of both worlds.
I need to make a loaf today!!
My husband just made this…SO DELICIOUS!!! with the covid-19 we’ve been staying home a lot and it gives us more time to try new recipes! everyone at home ate it! can’t wait to have another piece tomorrow with my coffee?
What a sweet husband! I need to get mine in the kitchen to bake some for me too! lol!
I made turned out looking perfect. Will comment on the taste tomorrow, after I bring it to the office to share.
Awesome! Hope your officemates enjoy!
Can the cocoa powder be omitted?
Not if you want chocolate bread 🙂 If you just want regular banana bread with chocolate chips, try my Chocolate Chip Banana Bread recipe: https://cookiesandcups.com/best-chocolate-chip-banana-bread/
Can I add toasted coconut flakes? Would that dry this out at all?
Sure you can!
Hi! I’m without the sour cream AND. Greek yogurt’ what happens is I omit? Is there another option ?
buttermilk… or you can make your own… https://cookiesandcups.com/how-to-make-buttermilk/
This has been on my radar for some time, and I’m letting some bananas ripen for this weekend! Can you recommend the best way to bake it in muffin form? Makes it easier to share that way! Thanks!
Just use liners and then bake for 20-25 minutes and check them…if they still need a little more time add a few minutes and check again!
If i like a slightly sweeter bread can i add regular sugar as well if so how much?
This is sweet for sure, but you can replace the brown with granulated. I wouldn’t add more 🙂
This chocolate ? banana ? bread ? recipe sounds yummy and I will be making it very soon, could I add some nuts to the recipe, as my son loves pecans or walnuts in banana bread.
Yes absolutely! Add 1/2 cup chopped nuts!