The king of CPB can have no other ruler really but this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread. This time-honored recipe combines the rich flavor of ripe bananas with a decadent dose of chocolate chips in order to create an oh-so-moist and delicious loaf that is almost impossible not to love. This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is delicious for breakfast, a somewhat healthy snack or as desser.
Only a few simple ingredients just ending in great flavor combinations – the result is delicious to say so. The chocolate sweetness is balanced by the natural sugars in bananas, and a moist crumb iresistably chewy.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
And you can never go wrong with a classic like Chocolate Chip Banana Bread – it is the best for any occasion whether to bake for your family or prepare yourself a snack. It also happens to be incredibly versatile! Serve it plain, hot or with a pat of butter. This homemade recipe is simple to whip up and uses only pantry staples you probably already have in your kitchen. This is also a great way to use overripe bananas, (which become much sweeter that way as they ripen.)
You can Play around very easily with this recipe to customize it as a healthier one or more indulgent! Want to cut down on sugar? Nothing to make it delicious other than some dark chocolate chips and a sea salt sprinkling – sweetened naturally! Craving something extra? Swirl in some peanut butter or sprinkle whole walnuts for a nice crunch.
Ingredients:
- 3 ripe bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3/4 cup sugar (can be reduced to 1/2 cup for less sweetness)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips (milk or dark, depending on your preference)
Instructions:
Step 1: Preheat and Prep
When you preheat the oven, switch it on at 350°F (175°C). Butter or spray a 9-by-5-inch loaf pan and set it aside. This will help make sure the Chocolate Chip Banana Bread won’t stick to the pan and comes out perfect.
Step 2: Mash the Bananas
Mash the bananas in a medium bowl until smooth. The riper the bananas, which are overripe is no problem will yield a sweeter and more moist bread. It should be if they’re spotty and dark. Bananas lend natural sweetness and tenderize the bread.
Step 3: Mix Wet Ingredients
In another mixing bowl, stir together the melted butter and sugar. Whisk until fully blended. Next, add the egg and vanilla extract — whisk until fully combined again. This is the mixture that will form your batter and also add some moisture so you get a nice flavorful loaf.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda & salt. Add your dry ingredients to the wet, ladle by ladle and fold in with as few stirs for everything has just gotten mixed together. Just take care not to overmix it will make you a dense brick rather than the light, fluffy loaf that is your ideal output.
Step 5: Place in the Chocolate Chips
Gently fold in the chocolate chips so they are combined into the batter. Chocolate brings a luscious, chewy quality that stands up to the sweet banana flavor.
Step 6: Bake
Spread batter into prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the oven at 350F or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 55-65 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil during the last 15 minutes of baking if top is browning too fast.
Step 7: Cool and Serve
After they’re baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before removing them. Then transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing. Allow the bread to cool for an hour or more; it becomes easier to slice and gives time for flavors of other ingredients meld.
Nutritional Benefits
Making Chocolate Chip Banana BreadPacked with chocolate and bananas, this spiced-up treat feels good. And it’s at least somewhat healthier than most cakes; a minimum of there are some vitamins in those ripe bananas you’ll be using! Rich in potassium — a mineral that promotes heart health and proper muscle function. They also provide fiber, which is good for this digestion and can help you stay full longer. By adding some CHOCOLATE chups (dark is the best, it has antioxidants for brain and hearth)
How, you ask; oh my upon further review Oh so simple Make this recipe just vegetarian and vegan To be even healthier right? The whole wheat is packed with fiber; an easy way for Americans to consume at least half the recommended amount of whole grains! You can use honey or maple syrup in place of sugar for a more complete mix. Lastly, switching from milk chocolate chips to dark adds a bittersweet edge and some good for you compounds.
Customization Options
What I absolutely LOVE about Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is how versatile it can be. BUT here are a few simple ways you could switch this recipe up that i would recommend:
- Add-ins: For some crunch, fold in a few chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans) into the batter. A little driedfruit — cranberries or raisins work nicely for a chewy hit against the bananas.
- A Healthier Option: Drop any type of sugar there is and add organic sweeteners like coconut, use less too. Use coconut oil or Greek yogurt in place of butter for a lower fat alternative.
- Gluten-Free: To make this gluten-free, sub out the all-purpose flour for a gf baking blend.
- Vegan: To make this recipe vegan, simply replace the egg with a flaxseed egg (1 tablespoon ground flax mixed 3 tablespoons of water), and use plant-based butter instead.
Why Chocolate Chip Banana Bread is a Staple
Not only is chocolate chip banana bread a yummy treat, it also fills my soul with the love and goodness of home baking. The cozy smell that your kitchen fills with as it bakes is simply the best way to start anyone’s day off! It is a universally loved and appreciated treat that can be shared with family, friends or enjoy alone over a hot cup of coffee.
It’s also a very forgiving recipe. Even if your bananas are a little over-ripe or you’re missing an ingredient, it will still come out yummy! As a bonus, this is great way to not waste food by using up those spotty bananas no one wants to eat.
Serving Suggestions
This Chocolate Chip Banana Bread can be eaten plain or you can pop it in the microwave for just a few seconds to warm up, like its fresh out of the oven. A pat of butter or spread of cream cheese makes it even better. You could also go all out and drizzle some melted chocolate over the top or have it as a dessert with vanilla ice cream.
Serving, if you are making this as a part of your breakfast or brunch spread then better serve it with fresh fruits and yogurt along with hot cup of coffee/tea. Individually wrap single slices in parchment paper for lunchboxes or picnics.
Final Thoughts
I mean, whipping up a warm beautiful loaf of Chocolate Chip Banana Bread from scratch is just such an amazing feeling. With sweet bananas, gooey chocolate and a moist crumb every time you make it this will be one recipe that you come back to over and over again. But seriously, this is a no-fail recipe that any level of baker can master every time.
That and the next time you have a couple overripe bananas hanging out on your counter, save them! I would definitely recommend that you make this Chocolate Chip Banana Bread with those extra bananas. Happy baking!
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